Lawrence Hall, HSG
Mhall46184@aol.com

                                   Awaiting Cataract Surgery

                       You can't get a cup of tea big enough
                       or a book long enough to suit me.

                      - attributed to C. S. Lewis and others

I will give up my books
When someone pries my cold, dead hands from them
Companions of my youth, tellers of truth
Next to my heart when the mortar rounds fell

But now I see the world
As through a dark lens darkly, well enough
For most common household purposes
But those dear words on any page – not so

I never thought I’d say
That I’m looking forward to surgery day!