The quickest way to heartbreak

Isn't what you think / Issue 1,137

Oh, hi friends!

The quickest way to heartbreak
is to look at your stats dashboard.

Or your page views 
Or your Amazon ranking
Or your @ replies.

No matter how high,
you will want the number higher.

It is a tall ladder,
missing a top rung,
leaning against an unending sky.

Sure, you can scheme.
Sure, you can climb.

But numbers don't show 
one hopeful face reading your work.

Or their shift in thinking
Or their delight
Or their change.

Take a break from the ladder,
Return to earth.
You are wanted here.