by Barbara Guest

There is no fear

in taking the first step

or the second

or the third

having a position

between several Popes

In fact the top

can be reached

without disaster

precocious

The code

consists in noticing

the particular shade

of the staircase

occasionally giving way

to the emotions

It has been chosen

discriminately

To graduate

the dimensions

ease them into sight

republic of space

Radiant deepness

a thumb

passed over it

disarming

as one who executes robbers

Waving the gnats

and the small giants

aside

balancing

How to surprise

a community

by excellence

somehow it occurred

living a public life

The original design

was completed

no one complained

In a few years

it was forgotten

floating

It was framed

like any other work of art

not too ignobly

kicking the ladder away

Now I shall tell you

why it is beautiful

Design： extraordinary

color： cobalt blue

secret platforms

Heels twist it

into shape

It has a fantastic area

made for a tread

that will ascend

Being humble

i.e. productive

Its purpose

is to take you upward

On an elevator

of human fingerprints

of the most delicate

fixity

Being practical

and knowing its denominator

To push

one foot ahead of the other

Being a composite

which sneers at marble

all orthodox movements

It has discovered

in the creak of a footstep

the humility of sound

Spatially selective

using this counterfeit

of height

To substantiate

a method of progress

Reading stairs

as interpolation

in the problem of gradualness

with a heavy and pure logic

The master builder

acknowledges this

As do the artists

in their dormer rooms

eternal banishment

Who are usually grateful

to anyone who prevents them

from taking a false step

And having reached the summit

would like to stay there

even if the stairs are withdrawn