The Law of Post-Initial Reactions

There’s a moment that is barely noticeable
that happens between disbelief and realization
when you trip or when you suffer some sort of physical trauma.
In this moment, a million emotions flash through your head.
Anger, embarrassment and sadness are among the most prominent.
These feelings fly through your body at the speed of light
until realization hits.
After which you register one of those emotions and hold on to it
until you get over your recent trauma
or you vacate the area where the trauma happened,
which ever comes first.

Ropes

When i was walking across the rickety rope bridge

i paid no mind

to creaks and whines

until i heard the ropes snap and the tension slack

i was surprised to find

when i found myself falling

there wasn’t much of a fall

no, not much of a fall, at all.

On Slopes

i want
i never want to be here.
i hate it here.

i want to run
i wish to jump off this cliff

and free fall
once again.

i remember the time
of always falling.
and never gripping

but still being constrained.

and in a sense

i am still here.

i’m stuck falling
i’m always failing

and i hate being here.

i wish.
so wish
to never fail again

i wish
never wish
to be filled with disdain

i desire to do something
besides try in vein
to clamber up this wall.

and so
i run
and i stumble
and i fall

and i roll
off the cliffside.

and again

i am stranded.
always falling

terrified.
yet
apathetic 

and i am painfully silent
in the face of my tragedy.


so i’ll hide my face
and continue falling

just always falling.