Steps

MARSHALL DURY

gravely cement
not meant for
skipping a step.

it was here that
if one wasn’t careful,
shins could be 
scraped down
to their bone.
those sharp 
corners 
poured by 
a day laborer 
decades ago. 
it was here that 
dad broke his ribs—
after falling from a 
ladder while cleaning
the gutters.
him asking me not to
get mom. his torso
sprawled across 3 of
the 4 vicious angles. 
it was above these 
steps that we affixed
giant inflatable tree
ornaments at Christmas.
hanging on sharp angles
in the blustery New England
winter wind. 

Click to read more …