Did you fall, my friend, and fear the jeering laughter,
an awkward stumble,
without grace
clumsy,
sprawled
in disarray,
face-shamed,
inert.
Did you fall, my friend, and worry for the rising,
relinquishing
feelings
vanquished,
laid out,
cold
judgements pending,
did you fall.
Will you stand again,
despite the fall
and fears
and see the kindness
in spectators’ eyes,
no vicious slights,
participants,
in recognition
of our own
falls known.
Did you fall, my friend,
I know that spot,
for I have fallen too.
We fall. We rise. Together.
