Falling Down

As a youth I climbed the ladder
Thought success was all that mattered
Left my inner light behind
Grabbed a rung, and went to climb
The crowded steps, the bodies massed
Feet and knees and up I passed
An unknown goal kept plain in sight
Rose up early, just to glimpse the light
Put my truths firm on the shelf
As actions led to something else
My voice was raised, temper flared
To those below, I didn’t care
The rungs were mine, and mine alone
Looking back, I wish I’d known
Problem solving by my own decree
No one dared to challenge me
Up and through the corporate ranks
Never taking time for thanks
Arrogance leads to narcissism
Bordering thin with Caesarism
And with every step the newfound stress
The team, my outlet to oppress
Since higher-ups paid no attention
None to stop my condescension
Earnings calls, and my flag did fly
Suited faces would then drop by
Elbows rubbed and tickets bought
Not yet big, but a growing shot
My kingdom large within the land
Building up of my own brand
Watched the others falling down
Struggle to swim, then finally drown
Another office with a bigger chair
My ties now silk, and perfect hair
The table long, the conference room
Pushing hard, I’d be there soon
Life at home a second fiddle
On the job, soon words were trickle
It mattered not, success my drug
Until that day, the slipping rug
The pyramid showed a dotted line
Not the role I had in mind
The coveted seat, now outside my grasp
Alone I sat, my mouth a gasp
No more steps, no rung to seek
Seems the suits had planned my peak
My fancy title now lost its meaning
Team reassigned, a huge housecleaning
I watch the crowds through my office door
Not an invite for me anymore
The leaders club and dizzying heights
Slipped from my grasp, that quiet night
Is this the falling down that comes?
With fighting wars and banging drums?
All the work to build this castle
Once again just another vassal
My ideas, hard work, another’s credit
Far too long, the time to edit
Time goes on, I can’t turn back
Now I live with heavy tracks
I left my mark, but it’s like bruise
Now I’m lost in interviews
We like you, but…. is all I hear
There’s things out there we have to hear
Ladder climbing is out of style
Falling down my new exile
On lonely nights, I choose depression
Tried and failed to change professions
Another day, instant apply
I’ve grown you know, I’m not that guy

Additional Reading

R.J. Schwartz is an American Poet and Author.

His complete works on The Creative Exiles Website can be found here

The Gypsy Thread is a huge collection of his original work

Ralph also writes on HubPages

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R J Schwartz

I write about everything and sometimes nothing at all.I'm fascinated by old things, rusty things, abandoned places, or anywhere that a secret might be unearthed.I'm passionate about history and many of my pieces are anchored in one concept of time or another.I've always been a writer, dating back to my youth, but the last decade has been a time of growth for me.I'm continually pushing the limitations of vocabulary, syntax, and descriptive phrasing.

Latest posts by R J Schwartz (see all)

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