An Elemental Ode after breaking three bones in my left hand |
Ode to My Left Hand Oh, neglected left hand, I know I have not favored you in the past, the right seems to have had all of the talent. She could write better, she could accomplish all of the mundane tasks I asked of her without your awkwardness. I never appreciated or recognized your part in her successes. Now that you have been sidelined by brutally broken bones, I see how much you contributed to every aspect of my life. How helpless the right is without assistance from you. From small tasks, squeezing toothpaste onto a brush or slicing tomatoes, to larger tasks, hooking a bra, opening a bottle of V8, or typing this poem, you are sorely missed. Your loveliness is now hidden beneath ugly wrapped gauze over a torturous, stiff splint with surgery looming, adding screws and pins. How I long to see your fingers wiggle and grasp again. Never more will I dismiss your beauty. You are the yang to my yin. ~~Judi Van Gorder Notes: ▼ Same subject, different form, a Chastushka Response to forms challenge at Poet's Place CafĂ© My Hand Never did I think you'd fail me. Broken bones have changed the whole scene. Though my favored Right is trusty, missing help from Left, was unseen. Tasks are awkward when you're gone, slicing onions, typing poems, hooking bras, and pulling pants on. Wiggling, grasping, crippled gems. ~~~jvg Notes: ▼ |