2/2/2018
This ladder stands
one hundred feet tall
I climbed the rungs
not afraid to fall
but one day I slipped
and came tumbling down
at terminal velocity
to the concrete ground
I sat for a moment
wondering what to do
people around me still climbing away
stuck to their ladders like glue
I needed help
to get to my feet
unable to climb
fear of a repeat
I stared at the ladder
fell back on my seat
utterly overwhelmed
not ready for another defeat
then I was encouraged
to give it another try
"just see how it feels
you don't have to go that high"
a few rungs up
I turned around to see
a massive mob of people
laughing at me
Now the people weren't real
a joke played by my brain
but the mob kept growing larger and larger
does that make me insane?
a few more rungs
I was able to climb
then came the sensation
of sweat (dripping) down my spine
I felt my arms
starting to shake
maybe now
is a good time for a break
I'm off the ground
but not too high
I know if I fall
I surely won't die
but if I climb any higher
that comfort will disappear
and if I stay where I'm at
I'll have nothing to fear
but there's nothing that drives me
keeping me engaged
on the same token
I never get enraged
I guess you could say
I'm pretty even keel
no strong desires
nothing really to feel
if I stay right where I'm at
somewhere between high and low
I may not get the adrenaline rush
but I won't experience woe
if I'm being honest
I really haven't a clue
where to go, if I should climb
or really what I should do
paralyzed by choices
idly I wait
I won't ponder my next move
I'll leave it up to fate