He had been up ladders most of the day it seemed br firstly clearing blocked gutters silted from dust laden air br and with the many leaves once green and budding br that had now fallen in the autumn sky br all shrivelled, no longer full of life, br dead, decaying in his black plastic pipes. br And later in the day, some inside decorating br with white paint for browning, flaking ceilings br that no longer well reflected light br and cast a paleness throughout the house. br br Taking a most well earned rest br he opened his favourite book br that stood the test of time br since first, inside he looked br and with each word stepped on a ladder br leading he knew not where br but definitely to a place brighter, still. br Full of freshness, new life renewed br and far above the guttered leaves br that in the autumn's eves had fell.