past one in the morning
i douse my headlamps
roll to stop along the weeds on Blain Drive
the house uncommonly dark as I approach on foot
black where the globe-less bulb ordinarily burns
a gibbous moon, the color of iodine
i find the rope less ladder
(borrowed for another job and never replaced)
old and wooden
top rungs in thick shadow
its bruised body stuck in a notch of junipers
against the tallest part of the house
at its feet
on the backs of leaves lie chips of gray paint
oddly luminous
i draw a breath,
lay hold its clavicles and we stand straight
back and forth
hobble
like a circus act
on the unobstructed wet grass
weight falls on me
like always the top rung is spared
from slamming the ground
.
Author notes
i know this isnt a tribute poem to your two year anniversary... but you didn't mention that it had to be... so i hope this is ok to enter. 
A contest entry
- 'Come Celebrate My Two Year Anniversary on AP With Me!!' by Cynthia Gaines.
2000 points, ended November 8, 2008, 28 entries
Honorable mention
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Comments
1 - 36 of 36
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That ladder scene with John Belushi in Animal House comes to mind near the end, strong, strong visuals. I really feel pulled into the dark night-time world and the curious goings-on. I feel like I want to know more of this story.
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this for me is like an atmosphere poem, seeing someone approach something they know well, to the point of a back story, but yet this still seems dangerous and almost 'taboo'
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Don't you love the circus? Nighttime contortions in the gymnasium of creativity under the spotlight moon? If we don't expend our adventurous spirits to replenish ourselves what else is a moonlit night good for? Anyway, this makes me want to go join the circus -- again! Fantastic pen you got there.
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Thank you for being a friend!!
Thank you so much for your fine, surreal entry in this contest!! Your muse's metaphoric talents & gifts of wisdom know no bounds!! Thanks again, I'm wishing you all the best in all you do!! "There is nothing on this earth more to be prized then friendship" ~Saint Thomas Aquinas Peace, Cyn 
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isn't that always fact the top rung being held steady?
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good poetry to me appeals on many levels, climbing a ladder in the dark, scaling heights of something difficult; the concept of a collarbone and allusion to a person...so many steps and heights in this rise and fall... wonderful...this is what I call depth, thoughtful depth...PK...
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this shines through, luminous in and out, you have a way of pulling someone into your work, and forcing them down along that literary mind scape, where they're pummeled by astounding imagery and thoughts
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your poetry is so tactile... love it!
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Wow.
Just joined on here, this one really stood out to me - nice work!
Idiot question - In the last sentence the phrase 'last run' I took to be last rung. Yes? No?
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thank you for the keen eye! i hate my computer keyboard sometimes lol
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Whew!
I am on France time, so it's late here...I thought "damn, maybe it's another methaphor I missed...". but being the Grand Empress of typos myself, thought I'd ask anyways.
Bon soir!
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I haven't been online much lately (busy with travel plans and work stuff, lol), but now i have a little time on hand. And I'm so happy I decided to check your page, Heidi. This is great poetry - the visuals so vivid and oh, my....that closing stanza - marvelous!
~ Nicolette
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Heidi, this is great and about as far from cliche as it gets..you have a unique and wonder style.
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thanks wonderwoman.... darn it now i have that theme song in my head...
her wrist thingys were sexy
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"i find the rope less ladder
(borrowed for another job and never replaced)" sigh... how clever is yous? how how how... ohhhhhh love the ending.
and as i said before, excellent! -
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yeah... thinking of you reading this now... i can see how that would be 'your part' that hits you the most...
it hit me like that too and i am glad you got the cleverness of meez.
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In a word, wow.
Excellent work hon.
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Thanks bunches
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we keep climbing and toppling over too! in more ways than one.. the metaphors and imagery in this piece are superb and i can feel the poem through your eyes and mind.
i am so pleased that i got the opportunity to see this piece grow in the workshop and how you've brought it out to the table.. or should i say ladder
it's bloody marvelous
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ahhhh you get me in so many ways... it was fun creating this... i didnt even know it was hanging out on that free floating rib of mine stealing calories lol
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Again i had to read this a few times,
ooh, you always pen such brilliance H
I'm sure Cyn will enjoy this aswell
Good luck in the contest
Ken
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if you want me or need to go into more detail about it just let me know.. I dont mind at all. Just think of the ladder as a man and how basically when all the shit hits the fan, it is me that keeps it all straight and secure once again.
Thanks Ken for the read. I hope things are working out! -
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They have Heidi, much better than expected
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Such vivid imagery. One of the best poems on AP right now.
Joe
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Thanks Joe for taking the time to come read this!
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Heidi I love the deep layers of this poem. Rich with metaphors and love love love the ladder reference. The title fits perfect. Yeah this is a keeper for sure.
♥Becky♥
oh I bookmarked this for later reads and also working on creating a list on my page of favorite poems by favorite peeps...you be one of the peep and this poem be one of the written poems by favorite peeps...lol...I'm such a dork sometimes.
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Thanks Becky! lol I have never been a peep before... umm... actually now that makes me hungry for those marshmallow chicks at easter-- you know the ones you bite the heads off first? lol
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excellent indeed. i will come back to this one later for the second read... just woke up...
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your cute with bed head
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lol... it read differently in the morning, i swear... i mean i really liked how it ended and started... i just had to read it with eyes wide open lols...
i am always cute
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i love the deep metaphorical quality of this piece heidi- and you used one of my favorite
poetical objects "a ladder" to achieve it-
the scene is built beautifully
Excellent poem.
m
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it would have never come to me if i didnt apply myself to exercise 2... and for that... many thanks!
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I like the first 'its' taken right out now, yeah, sounds & reads much better...=)
this is excellent...you extended this metaphor with your feelings & imagery so beautifully...
=)
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thank you for making me see this LOL... geesh i felt like a dork
that is why i guess i can keep you around
LOL
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LOL....laughing here...
gee, thanks....lolol
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