I am but a Crooked Man

This is me, now.

from the Poetry Foundation

I had this poem in an illustrated story book when I was a child. While the poem is only 4 little lines long, they were able to divide it and illustrate it into a little book.

I am reminded of the book today, for I am that man, or at least a version of him.

Here's the account.

Earlier today, I posted of my disappointment with the weather yesterday. But this morning promised to be sunny (and it was), so I gathered my gear.

After popping open the car trunk, I swung my rather heavy and cumbersome camera bag into place. Unfortunately, the motion was accompanied by a rather nasty back spasm.

Now I am walking a little bit crooked. 

At least I am able to hobble around the house — once I am up, that is. It's the getting up and down that is fraught with difficulty. I am glad that I already had socks on because ho boy! they are a real problem when the back goes kerflooey. Now, just imagine what a sneeze might do to a guy already in a state of back stress!

I told Sue that I could get get downstairs, but that I didn't think I could get the cat food down to the floor.

This change in procedure perplexed poor puss. She got confused since she is disposed to follow my every move. So, I shuffled along with Sue as Sue put her food down. Lacey squawked with some concern and anxiety but eventually overcame this seismic shift in her life and went to her dish.

In the meantime, I will be the crooked man, for that's how it tends to go with my posture when I have a spasm. Thankfully, I haven't had one for quite a few years, but here we are reprising that old tune.

I will not be walking a mile, crooked or not, but at least Sue and Lacey are not crooked and  neither is this little house.

Now that the weather has perked up, here am I — quite unperked. Sadly.