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

    precocious¹

    The code

    consists in noticing

    the particular shade

    of the staircase

    occasionally giving way

    to the emotions

    It has been chosen

    discriminately²

    To graduate

    the dimensions

    ease them into sight

    republic of space

    Radiant deepness

    a thumb

    passed over it

    disarming³

    as one who executes robbers

    Waving the gnats⁴

    and the small giants

    aside

    balancing

    How to surprise

    a community

    by excellence⁵

    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 ignobly⁶

    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 ascend⁷

    Being humble⁸

    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    even if the stairs are withdrawn

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