the ladder

with all
the strength
you can gather
you push the forty
foot ladder
upright
against the house
and pull
the rope to extend
the upper
half. it clanks
metal against
metal as it gains
height. each rung
another pull,
until finally
it's as high as it
will go.
you set the feet
into the soft
ground, steady it
finding a balance.
wiggle it to see
if it's secure,
take a deep breath
and climb.
you do the same
with her.