Ladder to Heaven

The ladder to Heaven is
breaking; the rungs are torn and
the stars'
light sheds
tears onto the woolen wood. We were
told it was soft, handle
with care,
and we silenced them with our
greed. Few brought their
sewing kits and threaded a patch
clean, fixed a
stitch
into the cotton worn by all, but
one white square
could never hide the
stains
of seven falls.

The ladder to Heaven is
breaking; crowded by merciless
murders, burdening fabric softened by the
patter
of children's socked toes, supervised
by clouds
in a dimming world. We were
told it would fail us, handle
with grace,
and we silenced them with our
impatience. Few held back,
watching with envy's friend
charity
as a stranger's
shining face was
welcomed by the stars,
but only a couple; only a
few.

The ladder to Heaven is
breaking; we only need one to
mend it, escape
it, for one means many. We only
need one, and
that one is
you.