Ladder

The uprights are pine / the rungs are ash / between each rung / the grass of months is pressed / hard as a saddle // At the foot of the ladder / on her back / belly distended / like a grey risen loaf / a dead ewe / legs in the air / thin as the legs / of a kitchen chair / she strayed yesterday / ate too much lucerne / which fermenting / burst her stomach / the first snow / falls on her grey wool / a vole in the dark / systematically / eats the ear on the ground / at daybreak two crows / haphazardly peck / the gums of the teeth / her frosted eyes are open / Every ladder / is lightheaded / on the topmost rung / the seeds have flowered / into the colours of the world / and two butterflies white / like the notes of an accordion / pursuing / touching / parting / climb the blue sky / Far above the ladder’s head / instantaneously / their white wings change into blue / and they disappear / like the dead / Descending / and ascending / this ladder / I live