oh god
she said
oh Christ
the three steps
loomed
looked set to defeat her
bony fragility
her walking-aid an impediment
to balance
she leaned against the rail
and grasped
with both hands
and a shaking tremble
oh lord
he noticed the desperation
the death-grip on the railing
the bunching of stocking around each ankle
can I lend a hand
a slow pivot
to release one hand
and launch with a lunging clutch
onto his arm
the music starts
at one o’clock
oh Christ
a slow peregrination
up three steps
arm-in-arm
then along the uneven path
trembled grasp translated
into the vice-like clench
of the frail afraid
in the auditorium doorway
a long look of assessment
at avenues threaded through seating
and the location of friends
before glancing up
my name
is Nola
who are you
~