fifty three steps

the narrow steps that go down
to the creek

are steep, made of grey
concrete,

fifty three in all
below
the canopy of trees.

there's an iron rail
to hold

as you go down.

the stream below is blue
as steel.

you can see that's it's cold,
no need
to bend

to it and feel.

how many years have I gone
down
there

to the wooded cove
and sat on a large stone

and pondered my life,
watching the water crest
and flow,
what lessons have I learned,

what wisdom if any
was taking hold.

how many more years will I
be able
to go

and go again down
that deep staircase.

holding tightly to the rail.