this is about me walking the dog at 10 pm and falling in a hole
if I fall where no one sees
and I fall where no one hears
and if when I fall all by myself
I don’t make a sound
don’t disturb the crickets and lightning bugs
don’t wake the neighbors
and if I fall and trip and break
and I’m all alone in my quiet
acceptance of the pain
how do I know it hurt?
7 thoughts on "this is about me walking the dog at 10 pm and falling in a hole"
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An interesting (and specific) twist on a philosophical question, and I think you’ve basically covered the standard journalistic questions. (I’ve actually experienced an horrific 6 foot fall walking my dog at 10:00 pm and all the rest also). Lovely sense of form also.
And I am Carter 🙂
thank you for reading and sharing. I didn’t think I would find so many people with such similar experiences. Hope you’re doing better now
Very relateable.
In this heat, I walk The Lads after dark for their last walk. One night, I was on the sidewalk and crossing the exit of a church parking log – I have a light up harness for them – some guy in a big SUV was apparently looking at his phone and came flying across the parking lot, and I dashed enough that I just got bumped, but The Lads were fine. (These days I walk them separately). Now, I always have my phone with me when I walk the dogs!
Thank you so much for sharing this particular poem. It made me realize I’m not alone in these concerns.
thanks for reading and resonating. luckily the worst that’s happened to me on the night walks has been falling over. glad you were okay!
Oh gosh. I had this experience of falling while walking the dog last Fall. This poem speaks to all of us who have suffered the indignity and pain of falling.
indignity is right! thanks for reading