Farther to Fall

 

It hurt so much to fall
Hard to move the broken parts
Bruised, swollen, shattered.
So hard to move, so painful.
Some amazed she could survive a fall
from such a height
Her dreams up so high.
 

That morning at the Blue Monday Laundry
she allowed herself to grieve.
No one else there that early.
All the responsibility rained down on her.
Jewelry pawned -- wash machine broken.
Even her youngest knew the word 'consignment'.
Her eyes welled.
 

She knew she should not feel special
So many like her
But she had fallen from so far up.
 

The attendant pointed to dryer number 8, the best one.
Grateful for the tip she folded until all six loads were neatly stacked
Piled for the five she had remaining at home.
She felt then the grace to go on.
 

Off to work in her 'vintage' suit. No one the wiser.

 

Hope (Timp) Baluh, M.D.
Class of 1983