last night at dusk, baseball was the smell
of the air, taste of the wind and
when the lovley little girl
sang the Star Spangled Banner, you stood
laboriously.

and i noticed you, too, like several others
had contracted the No Arm disease and
my heart broke to see you in your misery;
no country, no allegiance, no arms
to cross your heart in pride.

so sad.

oh, those of us who still had arms
had to give a winsomely soft glare,
because but for the graces go i--us
and you armless, non the wiser.

your head too was in an aflicted mode
turning from side to side, never once
stopping to look at the flag
as it flew, it slung a thousand tears.

but you should be able to sleep well tonight
for there are soldiers with two arms
that are guaranting you a safe night
but you may shiver, since you have
no arms to pull the cover up.

05/17/2005