The Column

I bent down to pick up a pen.

Just a pen. Just a moment.

Then the pinch. I knew it then—

my body has a blueprint. When

I felt it, I knew the component

of bones could give in.

I stood with my hand pressing, then

trying to find the moment,

to push it back again.

It passed. But I've been thinking since then

about the fragile component,

the column that could give in.

Now every time I bend,

I'm waiting for the moment

pain returns. I can't pretend.