BY MICHAEL HALDAS

Two ladders before me. Which one should I climb?

They both look the same. They both look sublime.

I stand on this mountain. They lead to the clouds.

I can’t see their tops; in mist-covered shrouds.

The man and the woman, they both now appear.

They each beckon me, and tell me “come here.”

“My ladder is best, the right one for you.”

“But you must choose now, which one of the two.”

They are side by side; I examine them each.

I sense there is something both have to teach.

One made of steel and one made of wood;

I thought for a moment, and then understood.

“I’m sorry, dear lady, I must choose the man’s.

I grasped the steel one, with both of my hands.

The lady looked sad, and then bowed with grace.

The man just looked on, a proud look on his face.

He gestured to me to begin my ascent.

I started to climb, I felt deep content.

Rung after rung, I moved toward the sky.

I felt so empowered, though I didn’t know why.

My muscles grew stronger; bursting with strength.

The ladder was long; but I’d master its length.

None now could stop me, almost to the summit.

I passed other climbers, I watched them all plummet.

I laughed at each one, so weak in their weakness;

and fancied myself, to possess a uniqueness.

But then I felt tired, though so near the top.

I heard the man shout, “Come on! Don’t you stop!”

I looked up and saw him, beyond the last rung.

Hand reaching out, my heart was then stung.

Something felt wrong, though I didn’t know what.

“Don’t take his hand,” said a voice in my gut.

“What is the matter?” the man said to me.

“Just take my hand!” He said with a plea.

I almost reached out to complete my ascension

But then felt a push; it was intervention.

I heard the man laugh when I let go.

I screamed as I hurtled, to what was below.

He was now at the bottom, mouth open wide.

He shouted and said, “I will not be denied!”

His mouth grew and grew, a great big black pit.

Fangs and forked tongue. Save me from it!

I felt myself snatched from the snap of his jaw.

It was the fair lady! I looked on with awe.

Tattered and broken, I fell at her feet.

She said, “There’s now someone you’re ready to meet.

“Climb now my ladder, be swift and be strong.

“The one that you should have climbed all along.”

At first I got splinters, my feet and my hands.

I bled on the rungs, I barely could stand.

The pain was so bad, I thought I would faint.

Others surpassed me, I saw they were saints.

Their clothes changed from tatters, to robes of bright white.

I saw at the top, they entered a light.

But steady I climbed, my resolve did not wain,

to get to the top, despite all the pain.

Just when I thought I couldn’t go on,

A gentle breeze blew, and the pain was now gone.

My wounds became healed, my clothes were transformed. 

My heart beat with joy; I felt now reborn.

I got to the top, and saw a new man.

The lady beside him, he held out both hands.

I reached out my own, scarred but now healed.

I looked at his face; my truth was revealed.

He said, “Open your mouth,” then jumped into me.

I saw with new eyes, the things I should see.

I walked into the light, and saw all the others.

They greeted me well, my sisters and brothers.

My old life completed, this joyous reunion;

with all of these people, new life in communion.

This transformation, and final release;

Forever in union, and knowing true peace.