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Wheelchair

by Quentin S Clingerman

Prologue:
It stands closeted from view
Stoically awaiting to be used
May it wait forever
My name upon it

Story:
Swirling as couples in square dance formation
In their wheelchairs
Moving up and down the basketball court
In their wheelchairs
Racing the marked course to the winner's line
In their wheelchairs
The young wheelchair-bound flee isolation and self pity

But:
Stagnating in corners or along walls of geriatric wards or nursing homes
In their wheelchairs
Waiting for that desperately hoped for visit or some companionship
In their wheelchairs
Some in dementia know not who or where they are-perhaps the more fortunate
In their wheelchairs
Others alert knowing all too well the humiliation of dependency and being ignored
In their wheelchairs

Epilogue:
Thank God for wheelchairs enabling many to be productive and mobile
Thank God for those professional caregivers who in compassion do not treat all the wheelchair-bound the same
Thank God for Family, Friends and Those-Who-Care-Enough to visit those
In wheelchairs

Postscript:
The wheelchair is a symbol of hope for so many
A symbol of separation, isolation, loneliness, and depression for all too many others





01/29/2012

Posted on 01/29/2012
Copyright © 2024 Quentin S Clingerman

Member Comments on this Poem
Posted by Gabriel Ricard on 01/31/12 at 12:55 AM

Damn good.

Posted by Lori Blair on 01/31/12 at 09:22 PM

Your words are so strong..if only this could reach those families that forget about their loved ones..it doesn't take long to make them feel loved! Hugs to you for writing this!

Posted by Chris Sorrenti on 02/02/12 at 05:13 PM

I really like the way you've broken this down Quentin. Did you read my Poem For The Living Dead? It's now in my New Blood library. Whenever I get down, sink into the pity pot, I just have look at the blind folks and those in wheelchairs around me to remind me how good my life really is. :o) PS: Will add this to my favourites.

Posted by Philip F De Pinto on 12/23/13 at 02:10 PM

a wonderful poem, Quentin. reminds me in part of the Marlon Brando movie, The Men, in which wheelchairs figure prominently which breaks your heart to see.

Posted by Dane Campbell on 01/23/14 at 09:03 PM

Many sad truths are here but also the individual hope and defiance. Well done.

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