I watched Anne
walk across the lawn
from the nursing home
on her new leg.
She had
a walking stick
helping her balance.
She sat on
the white metal chair
at the far end
and threw
her stick aside.
I went up there
and sat in a chair
next to her.
How's the new leg?
I said.
Hard work
she said
and it rubs
and I'm ****** off.
She looked it
I missed not
seeing the leg stump
it seemed odd
the artificial leg
being there
with the white sock
and brown shoe.
Now you'll
have to buy
two shoes again
I said.
She nodded
but this leg
won't grow
while this one will
so I'll have to have
the leg renewed
as I grow
she said.
I guess so
I said.
She stared
at her leg
******* thing
looks ugly
she said.
I looked at her
you'll get used
to it
I said.
I don't want
to get used to it
that means
accepting it
and I never will
she said angrily.
Fancy a walk
by the beach
see the sea
I said.
She stared at me
yes why not Kid.
So we did
out the back gate
and along the path
both walking
no wheelchair
any more
just us
the gulls
and the sea
and seashore.
May 18, 2017
May 18, 2017 at 3:01 AM UTC
I watched Anne
walk across the lawn
from the nursing home
on her new leg.
She had
a walking stick
helping her balance.
She sat on
the white metal chair
at the far end
and threw
her stick aside.
I went up there
and sat in a chair
next to her.
How's the new leg?
I said.
Hard work
she said
and it rubs
and I'm ****** off.
She looked it
I missed not
seeing the leg stump
it seemed odd
the artificial leg
being there
with the white sock
and brown shoe.
Now you'll
have to buy
two shoes again
I said.
She nodded
but this leg
won't grow
while this one will
so I'll have to have
the leg renewed
as I grow
she said.
I guess so
I said.
She stared
at her leg
******* thing
looks ugly
she said.
I looked at her
you'll get used
to it
I said.
I don't want
to get used to it
that means
accepting it
and I never will
she said angrily.
Fancy a walk
by the beach
see the sea
I said.
She stared at me
yes why not Kid.
So we did
out the back gate
and along the path
both walking
no wheelchair
any more
just us
the gulls
and the sea
and seashore.
