The fall is not the thing...

-
... a true story, but it may hold within it a metaphor for our times

The fall is not the thing
it’s the getting up that counts
and even more
it is the next-day moving that matters
that tells the tale of deep-inside reverberations
of the fall.

The other day I fell off the curb while carrying in groceries from the car
one minute upright
the next, a slip unintended
a tumble, 
then lying on the ground 
dignity disappeared.

Expletive.
Arise.
Assess.
No breaks! 
Carry on.

But the next morning
the evidence is felt
the soreness of hip
the catch in the shoulder
the strain in the wrist that took the brunt.

Expletive
No breaks!
Get moving.

My father fell many times and, once, in front of me. At the airport a curb felled him. He, too, got up, though with the help of a kind and strong — and young — stranger who heaved him upright as if featherweight. Dad suffered no ill effects. Remarkable. Tough as nails. Resilience personified.

For me, this first fall
came unexpected
was most startling
a sharp reminder I am not immune
lucky this time
next time maybe not.

So —
beware
breathe
channel inherited resilience
husband it
for that next time over the curb —
slowly
carefully 
mindfully.

No more thinking it won’t happen to me
it already has.  


..............................................................................................................

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Land acknowledgement: I respectfully recognize that I live on the original lands of Anishinaabe, Cree, Oji-Cree, Dakota and Dene peoples, and on the homeland of the Métis Nation.

Photo by Egor Myznik on Unsplash Berlin

Comments

  1. AnnNovember 19, 2024 at 6:16 AM

    Aha, you’ve joined the ranks of those considered fall risks! Glad you didn’t injure anything but Pride!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Barbara AnneNovember 19, 2024 at 10:16 AM

    Take good care Amanda, feel better soon, it's a shock to the system. I'm extremely cognizant of the possibility of falling; I hold rails, watch the steps, watch the possibility of ice...I don't want to be dependent on outside help so I must not fall, I must not break anything. Yesterday a friend insisted that my cell phone should be upstairs when I go to bed, it's a good idea, perhaps I'll remember.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Sally ShowalterNovember 21, 2024 at 2:51 PM

    Falling is not fun and I have had the joy of that terrible experience more than once. My husband blames it on the flip-flops I wear when outside doing yard work...not the best attire I agree so I am much more careful of my feet and what is on them. Sorry for your experience and I know you will be more careful as well.

    ReplyDelete

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