I stumbled in the garage tonight,
feet slipped out
Mistress Gravity shook the ground below me,
and the fall seemed to continue forever
until my body hit the concrete floor,
a sore that I will never forget,
until I do this all over again next week and wonder
why I don’t just pad the cell with moldy bread
the neighbor kids throw out me
shade of a black oak tree,
I find myself
swaying to an unidentifiable beat
the leaves rustle,
a gentle reminder
to dance at odd and random moments when
no one is looking
awkward laughter fills the acne-scarred air,
jokes told with insouciance,
the mood shifts, hearts aflutter,
the moment strained
eyes dart around, trying to read,
a discomfort of awkward deed,
a hush descends,
the silence clear,
and what’s left is laughter escaping once again
Fred Aiken Writing 