Fall

She fell walking the dog
Down our hill and scuffed
Herself unable for awhile to
Jump back up, so neighbors
Called EMS and when I drove up
Having done the grocery shopping
I saw two fire engines a plethora of
Concerned neighbors and driving away an ambulance when I saw
Our dog Rosie on her leash led
Homeward by our neighbor,
I knew Carol was involved.
The EMS told me she had
Fallen and sent to the ER
So I put Rosie inside our
House and drove to the
ER where I found her
OK smiling waiting to
Go home knowing I
Would find her as
Soon as possible
And drive her to
Our home to
Recover but
Next time
We shop
And
Walk
Together.
Oh, then I put
Up the groceries,
Thinking about the
Fire chief’s question
Repeated, in the ER,
About did she have a
Problem with dementia
And my response that she
Was in her 70s and a bit
Forgetful but did not
Have dementia but
The presumption
Equating old age
With incapacity
Makes me see
Societies’
Penchant to
Put away out
Of sight anyone
Who inconveniences
The herd efficiency
By being old and
Taking more
Time than
Allotted …
They can
Bill me.
We’re old,
We’re gray,
We’re slow,
Deal with it.