THEN AND NOW by Rosalie M. Taylor

A Letter From An Old Ladder

You may not remember me. That may be true, but I’ll always

Cherish the times I spent with you.

So much time has gone by that I can’t recall each mile we traveled together

Or how I came to this old farm, nor how long I’ve been out in

The weather leaning on the side of this old barn.

Sometimes, someone will pass by, like today, look up at me then keep on.

Some smile, some frown, but no one takes me down.

I know I’m old and missing rung after rung. I can understand your

Reluctance to use me to climb very far or high. I understand that you ignored

Me for that stainless lightweight aluminum model that you just had to buy.

Yes. My old wooden frame’s stained with mementos from years of work.

The patches you nailed on to mend me when I broke,

Made me even heavier and harder to carry. Yet we bore each other -

You balancing me under you arm when we moved around the job-site

Or went from place to place. Me carefully bearing your weight as you went

From bottom to top. I never complaining; never asking you to stop.

You climbed over the years reaching all your goals, never looking back

To see how weak I’d become. Now that you’ve reached the last rung

And found that all at the top is not fun. Is there anywhere else to go?

Is there someplace to run? Look down, but don’t try to step down.

If only you’d taken time to consider my steps along the way! If only you’d

Thought to say “Thanks, Old Ladder, It’s been fun,” you wouldn’t be afraid

To step on my remaining rung. I’m glad you came back to the old farm.

I recognized you when you passed me leaning on the old barn.

©2009 Rosalie M. Taylor