The Stairs

Whoever climbs the stairs
shall see the mundane in cosmic light.

Crawling, I reach the troposphere—
I see the earth in cosmic light.

Higher, I rise.

Shaking, I reach the stratosphere—
I see the earth in cosmic light.

Higher, I rise.

Walking softly, I reach the mesosphere—
I see the earth in cosmic light.

I am still rising.

My feet firm, I reach the thermosphere—
I see the earth in cosmic light.

Soon I shall age;
My hair goes gray.

Still, I go higher—
and higher.

Walking with a cane, I reach the exosphere
and see the earth more cosmic than ever.

I die growing;
I die rising.

For whoever climbs the stairs
shall see the mundane in cosmic light.