(from Proverbs 24: 16)
he never qualified that number 7
to fall that day, that hour, that lifetime
it can be a moment’s mere slip of faith
a teeter-tottering yo-yoing weakening
that seven times around the bridal canopy
and number of days we sit for our dead
the body, each cell, will rejuvenate if just given the chance
not by chance but choice
the mortal body and soul if nurtured and pushed
how to roll with the punches going down
clincher is to get up no matter what
he also didn’t specify the fall’s degree
a slight slip, a free-falling dive, a spiraling plunge
could the seven fall consecutively one lower than the last
nor did he note how fast to get back up
how long is allowed down to still be defined as fall before rise
after which is considered a settling into the lower part
it is not he who reveals how to get up
all the teachings overcome the seven
all omissions because what is really important, the point
not details nor comparisons nor relativity nor degree
that the saint just gets up.
