Bottom Rung

On the one hand, it’s obvious that a clash is imminent.

On the other it appears that the sky is too crowded as it is.

On another, it’s clear what lurks in the shadows, what

Needs to happen. There’s always a good reason to spring

Into action; indeed, at this juncture, it’s vital that we get

Underway. It’s colossally important that we meet it head on.

When it drains off, after the deluge, we won’t find any trace

In our memories, only the debris we vowed to collate

And move elsewhere if to make an honest buck isn’t pointless,

Isn’t timeless like a road that wouldn’t exist without its
Escape route. No one looks down while climbing, they look

Into the blue yonder, into the yonderous up up up

The ladder of civilization, diaspora of continents,

Looking up to see their “betters” scaling the heights—

Great art gets made by those who hold the ladder

For the rest to ascend; it sees by standing under,

Standing at the bottom of it all. Still, a clash, obviously,

On the one hand imminent, on the other not in stone.