The corporate ladder
its rungs slippery when not wet
splintering when not dry
each upward movement
taking you nearer the apex
wherein lies the next
unsuspecting extension.

The cost of the ladder
laden inside insensitive eyes
a friend to early mornings
frequenter of late nights
inconsequential of piano concerts
teacher conferences
or baseball games
is immaterial to personal objectives.

The wood will not last forever
unless shellacked with painted oils
the colors more deserving
on a canvass
like a portrait placed on a wall
adored from afar
never absolutely absorbed.

Copyright, 1997, by J. Matthew Waters
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