Short Handrail Poems

Climbing the Stairway I miss my youth
each step a struggle with arthritic pain
As I grasp the handrail to steady myself
I remember that boy who out ran the wind
the young man who dance away the nights
The man who would walk ten miles
to see his heart's desire
More stubborn then the pain
I win the battle up
accepting my life
One step closer heavenwards...

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I walk to the edge of the platform
Looking far
Down the descending steps
Knowing the bottom is somewhere out there
And without thinking too much
Move outward

My black right shoe 
Goes forward and down
Followed by the right cuff 
Of my black twill tweed trousers
Leading the rest of me
Like a slinky

My right hand 
Grasps the right handrail
For some sense of stability
And control
If only to slow down my descent
To the bottom...

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Stone steps
To the top of the tower -
At least a hundred -
In a spiral staircase;
Regularly spaced,
Worn by many feet
And time,
Yet as strong as the day 
They were quarried
Out of local granite.
Taking the polished brass
Handrail, I started to climb;
Eventually, 
Stopping midway
To catch my breath,
And massage my aching calves.
Reaching the telescope at last, I
Smiled and gazed up at the starry sky.

Jack Horne for Linda-Marie’s contest...

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Why I agreed, I’m not really sure
Others had pressed me, gave me a brochure
Ready or not, I’m off to Jamaica
Look Mon, have fun, it’s a piece of cake-a
Don’t worry, be happy is their favorite song
Chasing the seas, I went right along
Rounding the corner of upper deck B
Using the handrail to steady the sea
I finally settled into my sea legs
Sipping on cocktails, now my stomach begs
Especially for olives and caviar eggs


10/10/17...

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