falter, new me

falter, stumble, trip

over a crease in the rug

a crack in the sidewalk

a brush with a passerby

or wind-sweep of a standing tree

mere nothing

and yet enough to know

i am unsteady, vulnerable

where once i dashed

from place to place

over furrowed ground

or rock and sandy beach

i am new to me

someone i need to learn

to respect as i am

why

even as a child, i questioned

“why?” to my parents’ exasperation

believing, accepting without proof

or at least answers to simple doubts

left me shaking my head, “no” and

“how can that be?” and

“i don’t think so”

so claims on the internet without

evidence or confirmation

leave me wondering how

anyone can accept their truth

let alone act on their assertions