It

Wasn’t one big fall.

It was gradual.

A slight slip here.

A trip there.

Hands missing the railing,

Reaching and flailing.

Words left

Unattended,

Frightened inside.

Smiles left unshared.

Passing by averting eyes.

Little by little.

Skirting around the edges of hurt.

Vulnerabilities slowly

Caged and protected.

Until you found yourself

Eye

Level

With the

Dirt.