So basic, I can't even remember how I do it.
Could you describe what it's like to take a step?
Think about how it starts --
(If you have to get up and go through the motions first,
that's okay. That's what I had to do.)
It starts with a delicate shift
and sway and lift,
a moment that hangs in the balance
between you were and you will be.
Then, forward!
No movement without friction
(and for some of us, without pain).
Get this: as you push off from the earth,
you push the earth away,
equal and opposite reaction.
A weighty notion -- anyone can move
the world with just one step.
(The effect is infinitesimal,
but satisfying to know.)
Then transfer weight, release,
lift,
and the future becomes the present.
You are one step closer to --
well, where were you going?
What do you expect at the end of your steps?
fridge altar door diploma toy bathroom vista arms crib casket ...
The end, that is truly how it starts.
No step without wanting a somewhere that's not here
and trusting yourself to move,
even if you only begin
by pushing back the past
just an infinitesimal bit,
and lift, and land,
and again.
About the Creator
Sonia Heidi Unruh
I love: my husband and children; all who claim me as family or friend; the first bite of chocolate; the last blue before sunset; solving puzzles; stroking cats; finding myself by writing; losing myself in reading; the Creator who is love.
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More stories from Sonia Heidi Unruh and writers in Poets and other communities.
Anne of Green Gables
Orphan dreams, despairs, talks, talks, breaks slate, makes friends, blooms ... finally belongs. ~ *Indebted to Judey Kalchik for launching this Book Review Haiku challenge, and inspired by so many wonderful poetic summaries! If anyone else has already haiku'd Anne, I'm sorry I missed it -- please let me know in the comments.*
By Sonia Heidi Unruh9 months ago in Poets
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This is not who I thought I would be. Before my family was captured and forced into slavery, I had aspirations of becoming a wealthy business owner or possibly a scholar and philosopher. Becoming a warrior was the furthest thing from my mind. Unfortunately, our Roman conquerors had other plans.
By Mark Gagnonabout 19 hours ago in Fiction
Comments (11)
The way the step marks time, the way the step lifts and uplifts, so vividly rendered in this ode. Fantastic, and full of an interplay of complex thoughts. You made me think differently the same things I've thought about it! Excellent work.
walking just controlled falling
Very relatable and inspiring 🥰
Oh my goodness. This is one of those poems I’d want printed in a book so I can read it again. I hope you place with this because it’s fantastic, so many phrases I could pull out and applaud but done in such a natural way, like you’re not trying too hard to be prolific or deep, you just DO it!
Pushing back the past is simply a wonderful image. It sticks in my noggin. I wish I had written it
Sonia, this is remarkable. The way you have woven the simple act of taking a step into time, hopes & dreams, destiny, etc. is absolutely compelling.
Dear Ms. Sonia - Such a StoryTeller with heart - Love that! This 'Rolled' so close for me. If you have a moment please see 'Wheelchair Etiquette'. No you don't have to read it, just go to the bottom to see how I've improved, it's all in the 'tude Thank you for this J-Bud
Sonia this poem is ethereal! This tiny, universal moment you’ve put under the microscope and given new life. I love your description of the ‘steps’ of stepping up - breaking down the movements into discrete shifts and given fresh meaning. Gorgeous gorgeous work.
Oh wow! This was so powerful and a very creative take on the challenge!
Super & superbly written!!! Loved this!!!❤️❤️💕
This is bloody outstanding, Sonia! Love your musings on this and the line that starts "fridge" is genius! This deserves to place!