Tour of the Front Stairs

Ascending from the vestibule
The carpeted staircase
Though downtrodden maintains
Self esteem between
Bannister and wainscoting

Sandalwood in the hallway
A column of closed doors
Skylit by the skylight
Mysterious shoes
Newspapers

A plant trails down from
The top floor landing
Like a question
Or perhaps an invitation
To meditation of structure

Inferences and differences
The patch of blue beyond
Empty mullions
Accents the interior
Scented air with space

-- Tom Rubenoff