What Do We Do with the Ladder Now

“Control” - Scott Ginther

you are in the driveway
against the van’s scarred fender

your teeth are crawling
out of your mouth

how much did this cost
your teeth are crawling

out of your mouth
you’re saying

they’re dragging themselves
through the mud

with their elbows
it couldn’t have cost enough

they’ve grown arms
look at their elbows          

you told me
we’d have enough time     

the rafters are high
once this room was not a room

it was stapled
onto the barn’s blue back wall          

I told you we had time
to gather them all back in

we can scrape the moss
from your gray tongue.

I will clean it
with a copper cellar spoon.

About the Author

AJ Wright is a poet from Appalachia whose work appears or is forthcoming in The Stonecoast Review, APARTMENT Poetry, Antiphony Journal, The Garlic Press, Good River Review, and elsewhere. She runs Pictura Journal, and her first collection will be published by Pulley Press in 2026. She currently resides in West Virginia. 

about the artist

Scott Ginther is a photographer who traditionally focuses on landscapes but is experimenting with abstract intentional camera movement to create pieces that evoke more emotion. Scott is also a poet who utilizes the written word to force his own self-reflection while inspiring others to do the same. His photography has previously been published by The Photowalk, and his poetry has been published in The Book of 42 and The Quarter(ly).