a ladder to nowhere

as a soft snow was falling

there we were

running along the frozen mud path

looking out for low-lying branches poking out overhead 

weaving our way around rocks, roots

keeping alert to our footing 

flowing conversation 

sharing inspirations 

meditations 

what we read

what we heard

what we noticed

honestly, I think our drifting gliding running discussions are 

as good for my health 

as the physical running itself

just as we crossed the creek and 

headed back up the slope

Full Stop.

there was a ladder

placed against a large boulder 

at the side of our path

where did this come from? 

why was it here? 

who created this? 

why? why? why?

pure whimsy? 

a ladder to nowhere

 

look at the clever rungs,

cut like triangles,

pointing this way, then that,

back and forth

look at the newly-falling snow nestling in its crevices

look at the gorgeous rock behind, holding 

how did we miss this

when we ran by the first time?

let's climb up 

up, up, up, 

we both climbed up, 

stood on the boulder and 

looked down on the creek and the woods 

paused and smiled

there was no place to go

except the top of the rock

a moment above

perhaps no better reason

to build a ladder

the descent was a bit 

rickety 

wobbly

wonky

oh no 

why did we scamper up like that

but it ended 

with big grins

climbing a homemade ladder

in the woods 

on a winter day

___________________

It's Tuesday and I am participating in the

 Slice of Life.  

Thank you, Two Writing Teachers, for creating this supportive community 

of teacher-writers!