Learning a Lesson

Last week, whilst in a rush,

I slipped on a patch of wet grass.

As I struggled to not fall,

I remembered that my father broke his back,

In the same way.

Slipping on grass the rain had made wet.

That memory only exists as a reminder,

In times when I’m right about to fall.

When I walk with no care in the world,

The reality that my father broke his back,

Can’t touch me.

Just like when I eat too quickly,

And my mouth gets burnt.

I think I’ll never make that mistake again,

Because next time, I’ll be more careful,

More mindful,

More understanding of the consequences.

When I struggle not to fall,

I tell myself I’ll never rush again.

Never be ungrateful again.

Never be greedy again.

Never forget this lesson again.

But today, as I tried to get out of the rain,

I slipped on a wet patch of grass

And I dropped all my things.

And my only thought,

Was that I was lucky to not be my father.

Jasmine Starbuck is a recent law graduate who is currently taking a gap year before returning to undertake a Masters. She is from the North of England and her favourite book is Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier.