I traveled to the province of staircases
The great variety of
Balusters, railing, finials and steps filled me with awe
Many
Looked welcoming, while others were intentionally obscured or
Blocked up, and some were decorated with vibrant warnings to
Anyone who might ascend
I found the most modern looking
Staircase and climbed
After a while, I stopped on a landing to
Rest
This extraordinary landing was home to dozens of living
Statues, obsequious stone gods begging for spare hands
As I
Explored, a loud commotion with historic consequences occurred
Somewhere behind me
When I looked back, there was a curtain
Drawn around the event
I turned to the statues for answers, but
They remained inert and silent, their jagged stumps eager for relief