Go.

For all that we’re about to see I’m ready as I’ll ever be.I don’t know if I’m really brave but I can face the facts(if we’re still doing that)I persevere and think I’ve learned to subjugate my fearsomewhatI’ve tried to save a little here and there just for emergencies andkept in shape or, in a shape – I walk enough to fill the red ring on my watch most days if not the green oneI can recognize the super blatant crazy lies but who can say what’s really wha beyond that with AI and allI call my Momcheck in on friendswatch credits when most movies end(they work so hard)watch what I eatgive random folks my subway seatthat need itkeep good books on handand read a fewand feed the cats I MEANCAN webe ready for just…ANYTHING?what would you wear?what should we bring?and what are we supposed to say?just greet each other everydaywith“How’s it goin’?”“Fine. And you?”“Just dandy!”when that isn’t true?I think I’ll answer honestly. “I’m ready as I’ll ever be!”‘cause time’s a bum’s rushwe can’t “stay”we have to move ahead some wayI’ll try my best to stay in touchI will doth not protest too much with anger as my social crutch but stand my ground for long enough to take my next step forwardIt’s an irony of timeand pacethat we can’twinthe human raceyet there are those who must insist that they’re "ahead”but they’ve not THOUGHT ahead,because it seems to me that isn’twhere you wantto beconsideringthe finish lineon the roller coasterthere’s this momentgravity seemsto abandon usbut when the ride endsit’s still therewe’ll be just finejust olderjust adjusted but not brokenjust exhausted and exasperatedjust entirely bewilderedbut NO MATTER WHAT still filled with loveand wonderfor we are the blessed lot of us more ready that we’ve ever been and stronger than we probably know. So on marks…ready?(steady)Go. Get full access to :lowerblackpain at lowerblackpain.substack.com/subscribe