More than a month since a back injury
left her housebound, she’s better enough now
to walk through the door and down the steps
into the driveway where her car is parked.

Cautiously lingering at the threshold,
she tries to remember the mnemonic 
her physical therapist suggested
during an appointment the other day.

“Up with the good, down with the bad.” 
she says aloud to herself, hand on the railing, 
preparing to descend the stairs.

The weaker leg extends onto the first step,
then the stronger one joins it, and this repeats
            until she is out in open air once more.