POETRY: Walking

I'd go for a walk if I could
but it's just too bright outside
and the cars all speed by
and are likely to strike me
and the air's too dirty
and someone's dog might bite me
or some bum might mug me
or I might pick up some fatal disease
or get skin cancer from the sun
or maybe I'd fall down and embarass myself
and everyone would stop what they're doing
and point
and laugh at me
and make me feel like a little child.
So, instead of all of that,
I sit here,
where it's safe
inside
protected from all of that
and instead of walking
I pace.