Staircase

(Jacob’s Dream by Gustave Doré - found here)

Piercing night   ascending

descending   sky to ground   our light footfalls

in fluid motion pass through air   make

no sound   No spiral   or criss-cross flights

but one uninterrupted series of stairs

ten thousand climbing angels in glowing white

ten thousand more   trodding down

down from heaven’s height

from the foot of God’s own throne

right down to a stone   a shaken scoundrel’s

using for his pillow   Why would we wonder

       to what purpose   this display

when we know wisdom whispers   obey?

~D. S. Martin