Falling

I fell today.

Slipped on ice while I walked my dog for the evening.

I fell hard.

I fell flat.

I fell well.

I heard my fall echo in my ears as I connected with the ice.

I fell backwards which means the back of my head hurts and my back hurts.

I also felt my brain vibrate in my skull as I hit the ground.

With one hand still holding the leash of Lightning

I proceeded to catch my breath and slowly stand upright.

The streets were empty, with the only light shining from streetlamps.

There was no audience. 

I recovered from my fall and proceeded to continue my walk,

My dog did his business and I headed home. 

In 2005, I fell in a similar fashion when I was in university just outside my lecture hall, right after a class just ended and lots of students were catching up and hanging around.

I fell in between a demarcation created to help with water flow between buildings.

I felt eyes from all sides and heard snickers from those closest to me. 

There was an audience.

I righted myself dusted my legs and kept walking.

It is important to stay focused on yourself, on your standing up and taking the next steps.

There might be an audience or there might not be an audience.

Falling might not be in your control but standing up and walking on always is.