In my almost 50 years
i learned most people will
not save your fall from grace
instead almost watching it
or maybe joining in
my fall from grace starts and stops
at work it’s abrupt and immediate
not willing to let inequity in how
we treat those we serve
or each other
or with family who taught me
i was trash, stupid
would never get into college
the day i graduated
i invited them
only my mom, dad,
nonna showing up
my mom and nonna hugged me
posed for photos
slipped me graduation cards
with $20 bills
as i age i care less and less
about falling
life hurts too much
that I expect the worse
those days or weeks or years
that i fall from grace
aren’t as painful because i expect
nothing less.