Everyman and Stairs

Everyman starts on a floor
With a stairway reaching up before him
Around him a chasm, dark and bottomless
He must step up or fall into the abyss

The stairs wind up and up into a dimness
He must step one tread at a time to ensure
his footing
Some treads are solid, some flimsy as chaff
Some carpeted softly, others hard and cold

The steps wend their way
At times very narrow
At others very wide
A railing runs along each side

The railing appears strong and stout
But may give way suddenly
The middle of the steps the only safety
One step at a time

As Everyman makes his way
A chandelier appears above his head
Golden with one candle lit so brightly
A silver cord swings from it

Everyman can reach up and grab the cord
Or letting the light move away
Choose to take his steps dimly
Sometimes getting too close to the railing

He falls into the abyss
Lost in total darkness

Everyman may climb on, with cord in hand
Seeing more clearly the goal
The stairs finally wear thin and fragile
Each step more precarious than the last

Tying the chandelier cord about him
He rests in it securely
Swinging to the "other side"
Where all is light and clear

The gloomy depths below have faded
The need for stairs no more


Everyman and Stairs (c) 2002 Quentin Clingerman