The Staircase

The staircase 

appears

one day

bursts 

through

the middle

of Mrs Weinstein’s

pampas grass.

First one step 

sprouts 

then two.

It grows

towards

the sky.

By the end 

of the week

it has reached 

the sun.

No one knows 

what 

to do.

Then Benny 

her eldest 

starts 

selling tickets.

He has 

a fortune

to accrue.

What’s up there 

neighbours ask.

End of the world 

he replies.

I’d get there first 

if I were 

you.

To boost sales 

up he goes

with nothing 

but

a jacket and

a bagel 

or two.

From the street 

they watch

as he coils 

into 

the blue

becomes a speck 

disappears.

Suddenly 

everyone 

wants a ticket

wants to follow 

too.

So Jake

the second son

takes over 

family trade

he doesn’t want it

to fall 

through.

What’s up there 

neighbours ask.

Rubix the collie 

Grandpa Max

Grandma Sue.

He says, 

I’d get there first 

if I were 

you.

The street

is one big

spiralling 

queue,

caterers set up 

a marquee

offer fresh 

baked bread 

and stew.

Reporters

bring their own

news crew  

ask Jake:

Are you 

the brother 

of the hero guy

who pioneered

into the sky?

That’s all Jake 

needs to hear

to get him up 

those stairs 

too.

What’s up there

neighbours ask.

But Mo

the youngest

prefers his dreams

has no mind 

for ticket schemes.

Most of the street

he says.

My brothers 

too. 

Other than that

I haven’t

a clue.

He says, 

I’d go home 

if I were 

you.

When they insist,

he let’s them 

travel free.

And off they go

in two’s 

and threes.

Kids rest 

on shoulders 

sleeves flap

like wings 

in the breeze.

So many 

people 

walk 

into the sky.

None return

from out of

that blue.

I shouldn’t 

have taken up 

gardening,

Mrs Weinstein

cries.

I think my heart 

will break 

in two.