Was there ever a level playing field,
children gambolling everywhere like lambs?
I often dream of this version of paradise 
being reclaimed.

Because now I have been urged and prodded
up my own towering, fragile-looking ladder.
apparently everbody has one,
apparently the sky's the limit.

I began afraid of the height
afraid of the indifferent elements
but thought this is how it must be,
you can become accustomed to anything.

Having risen perhaps a dozen rungs
I entered a demoralising area, awful with grey fog.
I could hardly see further than my nose
it seemed I would be going no further.

It seemed someone had greased the rung above
it even seemed the rungs were growing further apart
So many others around me suffered a similar plight
judging from the swearing and shouting.

I wished with all my heart that I, that we all
could escape this undignified situation
and return to the real world
and yet I knew, amazingly,

This was supposed to BE the real world
as in "real politik" or "get real!"
Well now, with no blue sky above me
and god knows what below

My rebellious heart had me jump off...
I've used scraps of my ladder as cricket bats;
with a piece of coal local urchins are ecstatic.
I'm a reborn gardener on a beautifying mission

Generous with my garden produce,
valued also for my knowledge of birdsong.
You'll find me in the poorer neighbourhood
carving wooden toys for cheated kids.