One day I have to walk wearing only one shoe
My hand holds the other one
A mishap that happens so quickly
I sway with bending motions
as if I’m falling,
my awkwardness will attract attention,
looks, stares, surprised and scared
not a dereliction or alchemical mistakes.
It seems I lost my balance
I become a wanderer without destination
or I become simply an experiment in transformation:
a moving art of anguish
or the art of vigilance and balance
yin yang movements of shoulders, legs, and feet
few body contortions, grimaces
when measures are unequal
or a disruption like eating corn on the cobb
with two or three teeth missing.
People pass politely offering help
Others offer me many faces
I smile, say thank you,
continue my walk until I reach a park bench.
I sit, start to nurse my painful foot
and fix my broken shoe
distance between relief and agony narrows
beginning of comfort.
I return to my memory
the joy of walking in the woods again,
a sudden illumination:
I can talk to the trees again.
The birds fly soundless with widely spread wings.
Spring begins today.
–
If there is a great accomplishment today
it is not because spring begins today
or none of my ankles are broken
or because I remember memory of spring,
it’s because a saint is smiling:
“Patience bears all things”.
note: The book I’m reading: Checkout 19 by Claire-Louise Bennett
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