by Judith Bruder
No, no, not me!
At 83 I’m somehow hefty,
All five feet nothing
That once was five feet two.
No, I mean the margin
Between safety and decline.
One misstep.
Just one!
That’s all it takes
To take me from my home
And into care.
I’m well aware every day,
That every minute,
Every step I take
Must be measured,
Be prepared, planned for, thought out
Before it’s taken.
Handle with care!
That’s the label for my life
At 83.
That’s the difference
Between youth and age.
No more margin for error.
Or if one still remains,
It’s razor thin.
Apropos of Ms. Bruder’s poem is an Op-Ed piece in the January 2, 2018 NY Times, "88 Going on 18." The author, Robert Gottlieb writes:
Knowing I’m a stumble away from a walker has me examining how I spend the days left to me. That is more difficult than it seems as my mind often resembles a theater, transforming the most casual stroll into a play noisy with dialogue.
Also, Late Breaking: Lawrence E. Stager, a pre-eminent American archaeologist who unearthed evidence that anxious ancient Israelites sinned by worshiping a “golden calf,” just as the Bible, died on Friday, December 29, 2017 at his home in Concord, Mass. He was 74.The cause was injuries from a fall, his daughter said.
And more, NY Times January 2, 2017: Afraid of Falling? The Dutch Have a Cure. This is an excellent article that discusses programs in Holland for older individuals. If you are elderly or have elderly parents, this NYT article is well worth reading/