Scoliosed, hips misaligned,
I tend to bend towards the right.
Each step an art, the art of balance
jumbled with the art of falling.
Each kerb itself a precipice -
a long way down if I should tumble -
a worry then,
a constant need of (re)calculation.
Anna :o]
Thoughts of an ancient one of how advancing years
exacerbate…no self-pity intended. :o]
(I really do have to think (and plan) before stepping off a
kerb, (definite balance issues) – stepping up/on is no problem. I wrote the words above several months ago
and filed away they were, until the frost and snow and ice came and like each
year, I began to experience the fear the dread of walking upon these seasonal
gifts…)
Shared with the good folk at dVerse, hosted by Björn- cheers Björn! Also many thanks to all the good folk who
have hosted dVerse across the year – I am so grateful for your company.
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to one and all!
Image: Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
Author: Nigel Mykura
22 comments:
These words resonate. My "Stick", which began our relationship as a hiking prop, has long since evolved into a proper and functional Prop. I don't leave home without it. I'm no longer allowed to go out on the mountain, even with my Stick, unless there is somebody along to pick me up, should I tumble, or at least to come home and tell where to find me.
Still, as often as I find the gate open, I go...
May you be safe while walking. Best wishes.
Do be careful and I also think a walking stick might be in place for you... I use two when I hike actually
Your poetry walks with style and wit.
Happy Christmas Anna!
Take your time and walk carefully specially during the winter season ~
Happy holidays and joyful new year!
a long way down if I should tumble -
a worry then,
a constant need of (re)calculation.
One way to grow old gracefully! It is a privilege!
Hank
What a skilful capture this is Anna - written with flair and confidence... a delight to read
I'll be darned, I thought that was poetic license, or perhaps phonetic spelling without the upside down "e": kərb
But no, that is how they spell curb in places still under the influence of the fallen empire. Smile.
I see people daily who fall in what appear the silliest way.
You captured their mind (?yours too it seems) in a very cute way.
What a lot of folks don't realize, is that, like muscle, the brain atrophies with time unless exercised. And the little brain in the back of the head - the cerebellum - is much of the balance area, so without balancing activities (dancing, sports, climbing and such) it atrophies at a very quick rate. That and loss of upper arm strength makes falls for old folks not only common but dangerous. Remember, a little kid falls, and they are usually OK.
Have a safe Christmas now that the ice is out. Try dancing in front of the TV? LOL
Cheers for the comments folks!
Sabio; You are presuming...
A good doc/PA should take a full history!
Anna :o]
Oh, hypercritical (cryptical) , "presuming". How did I do that? With a question mark? I thought that was questioning, not presuming. And all the preface you give to the poem talks about "I". Your only reply to my comment is "STOP PRESUMING" -- really? Funny
Your aggressive defensive response tickles me Sabio - you appear to be a man who can give it, but can't take it, as in criticism.
It is clear that everything in the post is of "I" whether you place question marks (in your response) or not.
So why the need for the paragraph on the workings of the brain - to inflate your own ego?
Kind regards and good intentions.
Anna :o]
LOL _- hyper, you can't help dropping into ad hominem attacks.
So I will leave you alone. Bye
Cheers Sabio, but
my response was non-fallacious, but I think you know that...
Bye.
I love the delicate movements in your poem Anna, especially 'Each step an art, the art of balance'. I hope you stay safe in the icy conditions. Like Björn I use a hiking pole at this time of year and slip-on spikes for my boots. Sending love your way and wishing you a very Happy Festive Season :o) xxx
My mum used to hate kerbs and took ages to get down them, saying they were far too high! I'm finding I have difficulty getting off bus steps, but I guess kerbs will come later!
Thoughtfully crafted. Thank you for sharing, it is inspiring!
Love this poem, Anna. Merry Christmas to you and yours!
My winter’s ambition of late is NOT to fall down. Much more dicey with passing years. Merry Christmas to you, Anna.
My older sister has become increasing 'misaligned' with age and has taken several nasty spills, which she downplays with her usual good humor. It is a worry, though. As we both share the same unwanted gift of our mother's arthritic back, I await my turn 'taken down' by a curb. ~ Ah me ~ As Bette Davis once said “Getting old is not for sissies.” Ha.
It is even worse when snowy. I discovered that in Amsterdam they NEVER clear the pavements, they focus on the bike tracks which seems a bit mean if you can't for some reason cycle....
Thanks for that. Empathy, I've decided, is like an onion. You think you've peeled it... you can appreciate what a disability might be like... then you realise there's another skin to peel off. There will always be skins to peel off until you experience the thing itself, yourself.
Merry Christmas!
Loved the poem.
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