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Fall Off The Ladder

Submitted by Lavender on Mon, 2022-10-03 17:16

As I watch his frame
ascend each step,
climbing further upward,
I warn my adult son,
"Please, do not fall off the ladder."

There is a satisfying sound
to those words when
spoken all together:
fallofftheladder.
My poetic mind wanders
to zen-like thoughts, and the
possibilities of such a quirky word...

Fallofftheladder, (NC, IA, WI)
has a delightful ring to it,
Pop, 652, 2015 census.

Or perhaps it is an
equilibrium condition
brought on by riding
too many roller coasters.

I can imagine a menu
listing a large pizza -
extra toppings over extra toppings,
smothered with mounds of cheese,
selling out after each Friday
night football game.

But for now, I hold this
fifteen-rung monster
with my eyes closed,
pray that this kid
descends safely, and upright -
unlike the sizable broken branch
adorning the roof.
***

Style / type: 
Free verse
Review Request (Intensity): 
I appreciate moderate constructive criticism
Editing stage: 
Editing - rough draft
Content level: 
Not Explicit Content

Comments

Geezer

Mon, 2022-10-03 18:14

Geezer's picture
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Is the [Fallofftheladder], [NC, IA, WI] a real place? Multiple places?

I am not making a connection between two stanzas in the middle;
are they just things to think about while holding the ladder
so as not to think too much about the fact that the son is on the ladder?
A little explanation here, could go a long way to making or breaking this piece.

~ Geez.
.

There is value to commenting and critique, tell us how you feel about our work.
This must be the place, 'cause there ain't no place like this place anywhere near this place.

Lavender

Tue, 2022-10-04 08:25

Lavender's picture
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These are all off-the-cuff thoughts while dealing with the anxiety of holding the ladder. I'll put some thought into this to make that more apparent.
Thank you!
L

author comment

Geezer

Tue, 2022-10-04 08:36

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that might be the case. ~ Geez.
.

There is value to commenting and critique, tell us how you feel about our work.
This must be the place, 'cause there ain't no place like this place anywhere near this place.

Geezer

Tue, 2022-10-04 19:17

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Much better! ~ Geez.
.

There is value to commenting and critique, tell us how you feel about our work.
This must be the place, 'cause there ain't no place like this place anywhere near this place.

Lavender

Tue, 2022-10-04 19:29

Lavender's picture
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for helping me, my poetical mentor and friend!
L

author comment

Geezer

Tue, 2022-10-04 19:34

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deeply honored on both counts! Thank you! ~ Geez.
.

There is value to commenting and critique, tell us how you feel about our work.
This must be the place, 'cause there ain't no place like this place anywhere near this place.

lovedly

Tue, 2022-10-04 19:38

lovedly's picture

yes memories last for ever
just recollect
DOG WALKERS Lav

Lavender

Tue, 2022-10-04 19:47

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Bittersweet, but in a good way.
L

author comment

lovedly

Tue, 2022-10-04 21:50

lovedly's picture

OK

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