Saturday, April 16, 2011

To the girl with the walking frame seen in the hospital corridor:

I heard the thump as you moved the frame forward 
and then I noticed your askew ankle and your hanging hip
I saw your scarf, long sleeves, all covered:
an abaya would be impossible
I was glad you chose movement over decorum

And then I saw your face
ablaze with effort
and I looked for your eyes
and smiled in greeting
Hi, I said, I’ve seen you upstairs
and you smiled in return,
Hi, I’ve seen you upstairs too
and then I heard the thump as you moved away


x

6 comments:

Elisabeth said...

Poignant and hopeful, Isabel. An inspiration to anyone in rehab. This poem brings back memories for me of my last years broken leg - that thump thump thump.

Jinksy said...

A moment framed by a walking frame?

Lolamouse said...

touching moment. a smile bridges cultures, yes?

Dave King said...

My wife being disabled, I can relate to this. You've judged it perfectly, what to say and what to leave out.

Stafford Ray said...

"I was glad you chose movement over decorum". What a great line!!!

Willow said...

Oh, my, powerful, and I had to look up abaya...you always teach me new words.