The Liar and the Ladder

It wasn't fair that they stuck them there in those shoeboxes that were one step away from a parlor full of wilted wallpaper and recycled attempts at empathy---

We were full of it---

of climbing steps that led to know where

no where

and all I could think of was the pieces of carpet that rested somewhere else---

for good

and there was something tragic about coming down them

with no one there waiting to see your outfit---

and I forgot how to see things for the first time

and the next time---

the next time they would take me out on wheels

and tell me I didn't know how to walk

and act like I was never a romantic

but I knew how to look down---

that was for sure