Workman

Five Eight Two hundred
the man climbs the ladder
he looks down, sighs.
climbs on, till hand meets steel
hands move, heart beats,
never known his fear.

she stares, cold and sharp
across the stage, keyed.
notices her glance,
hands whirl, heart races.
she turns, glance back
climbs down, hands white.

he bends, tools free
turning, the stage empty
gone, like spotlights at dawn.
fleeing from his gaze,
darting glances, shivers
no feeling remains.

staring, stage blank,
dare he pursue?
turning, tools rise.
panting, kneeling, wondering
head twists, hands clasp,
not Man enough.