Falling Into Old Age
Author: Ken Homer Issue: 2025-09-17
Falling Into Old Age
by Ken Homer
I am now 68 years old I am strong and healthy Most people think of me as Being younger than my years I like to think so too But my body sends me Undeniable signals that I am no longer young
In 2023, while in Grosseto Italy I set off on a walk around the City Walls I walked at my usual rapid pace The pace I have used my whole adult life The pace that gets my heart rate up The pace that gets me breathing deeply
My toe hit a half inch rise in the paving stones I stumbled forward several steps Trying furiously to regain my balance Arms flailing, I must’ve been quite a sight For anyone who was watching Alas, my efforts were in vain
I was too far off kilter Inertia overtook me Hands out to break my fall I landed heavily on my right hand Unfortunately, my right elbow was positioned Directly under my ribs Which along with my knee absorbed most of the impact (It was three weeks before I could Draw a full breath without pain)
And my head bounced off the stone I mean it really bounced The way a basketball bounces I was stunned Hazy Unsure of where I was I laid on the stones Sinking into their hardness My body breathing me deeply
A voice spoke to me Then, an arm Reached out to lift me up But all I really wanted to do Was lay there on the ground I needed to recover myself I’d been scattered by the impact
He was Italian, maybe 40 Looking with concern at this old man Laying on the ground before him A wave of shame washed over me I suddenly felt achingly vulnerable How could my body betray me like this?
I didn’t know the Italian words he spoke But I recognized the universality of their meaning “Are you okay?” He helped me to stand Brought me over to a nearby bench Where I gratefully sat Still trying to reassemble my sense of self Jarred out of my normal mode of being
“Si! Si! I am okay!” I let him know with words and gestures He looked concerned After my repeated reassurances He smiled and went on his way
Something was damp and sticky on my cheek I reached up to find a trickle of blood Oozing from the edge of my orbital arch It took me a moment to realize I was bleeding I looked down My right knee was bloody too
Because I have allergies I always have tissues with me I staunched the bleeding and Slowly made my way back to my apartment A much older man than the one who set out On a brisk walk just moments before
Ken Homer • September 2025
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