Falls

To those of a
Certain age,
Falls are what
We deal with
Each day.
Every fall could
Condemn us to
Assisted living
And even in our
Home it would
Take our sense
Of independence.
Once in our 70s
We are more
Aware of how
Precarious a life
We each lead.
Gardening on a
Steep hillside is
Asking for a fall,
Especially in
Flip-flops in
Very hot
Weather,
Despite
Past
Falls and
Against all
Common sense.
We do get stubborn
In old age and refuse
The pleas of friends
To admit there are
Things we can
No longer do,
Or we fall
Until we
Are
Condemned
To that place where
Hope and happiness are
Not among the meds
Used to drug us
Into placid-pill
Submission
Until our
The insurance
Runs out and we
Are sent home
Or to hospice
To linger
Or die,
We
Persevere
Persistent and
Relentless
Until the
End.