Recurring Dream

I stand on the chair
I reach up
for the calendar to turn its page
I stand on the chair
I reach up
to pin my finger painting on the wall
I stand on the chair
I reach up
to get a cup off the shelf
I stand on the chair
I reach too far
I always reach too far
My arms arc and cartwheel
off to the left
Over my head to the left
Fingers reaching into space
My feet float up from under me
My feet float to the right
I always see my arms cartwheeling
And my feet floating
I fall
I fall into a sudden hard darkness
I jerk
I wake
I wake up in the recliner
I wake up on the couch
I wake up in the hot car with the windows rolled down
"Are we there yet?"