We traverse the stairway.
Visits to the past
mingled with steps into the future.
History lies at the foot of the stairs.
We take the stairs at a run
jumping,
missing steps,
revisiting,
collecting things and people
lost along the way
We move slowly,
carefully
holding the wall,
the rail
or human stick.
Navigating gently.
The downhill journey
leaving depleted energy to climb.
We rest a while
take in the view.
The top seems out of reach,
the view obscured by twisting, turning flights
of countless treads.
Our feet slip and slide
despite the familiar terrain.
Elongated periods of little movement
end in stillness.
We recognise the top step
is different for each traveller.
Copyright © 2023 Lily Lawson