Today, ignoring the voice of memory: my mother saying, “Never,
Never stand on furniture to change a light bulb”…
I stood on a desk to change a light bulb
Slipped, fell… hit the floor
But before I did
The desk flipped
I hit the steel frame with all the force of gravity
On my side
Nearly cracked a rib!
I could barely stand.
The students were astounded.
The class was canceled.
The doctors were astonished
I didn’t break a bone, damage an organ —
I love the pain killers, ordered pizza
May stay home tomorrow,
It only hurts when I recall having sex five years ago
Or watch an action movie —
Someone saw a lesson in The Fall, Yes:
Follow the rules, abuse no tree or furniture
Cause no pain or injury, simple gravity
Is greater than man’s best balance, ignore not the ancient Mother Voice.
