Poems by
Katie Riestenberg

Staircase of Gold

a poem by Katie Riestenberg

Frozen in the spinning time,
he lost his sober eyes.
The cries of ‘could’ve been’
pulled from the throat of lies.

He was nudged to the bottom,
a jackal for the town,
daily aimless footprints,
a mystery soul left uncrowned.

What happens when we fly?
Does it make a difference if we sacrifice?
If we’re reflected in the ‘mirror of lost dreams’,
then change the point of view,
does it show up in the light? In the light?

Latency struck by beauty,
love let his soul seep through.
With a confession that screamed ‘I am alive!’
he told her what he’d do.

He then laid her entire heart
deep inside with his emotions.
So that if it should ever have a wound
the bandage would be his devotion.

What happens when we fly?
Does it make a difference if we sacrifice?
If we’re reflected in the ‘mirror of lost dreams’,
then change the point of view,
does it show up in the light? In the light?

The opportunity beckoned him.
He chiseled and detailed his plan.
The realization of what he was to do
was bigger than any earthly man.

He stepped onto the staircase of gold.
He ultimately resigned.
if your fate resembled his footsteps
could you be christ-like and divine?

What happens when we fly?
does it make a difference if we sacrifice?
If we’re reflected in the ‘mirror of lost dreams’,
then change the point of view,
does it show up in the light? In the light?