[TMIC] Poetry

[Catherine]

Akua,  These poems are breathtaking!!  As one reads them there are so many feelings evoked.  I have often tried to explain my frustration of not being able to live life as I had hoped.  Thank you.  I feel refreshed knowing I am finally able to cry about my loss and understand.   Catherine           From: Akua [mailto:a...@artfarm.com] Sent: Saturday, May 02, 2009 1:34 PM To: tmic-list@eskimo.com Subject: RE: [TMIC] New Month, New Efforts   Thank you to those who asked. Here are two of my TM-related poems from April 2009.   Prompt: Object   Wheelchair   Confined to? No it does not imprison me, some raw deal dealt this blow requiring help for every little here to there moving through any space Brilliant contraption: wheels 4 wheels on chair to get you somewhere arms as pistons hands push against round smooth handrails pull to spin around, go backwards turn on a dime arm rests grey tires and if you dare to look: purple legs All fitted for me, the young man who measured was energetic, kind, knowing more, how a tool that fits makes hell easier to climb out of back height,  seat wider for my hips, cushion to foot rests, match knee bend past seat and foreleg length, mobile throne, horseless chariot, roll me roll me roll me home transfuse your capability to convey and wing me, (groundbound by arrow of outrageous fortune yet spirit flutters, flaps and sometimes, soars) free     Akua Lezli Hope     prompt: Routine   Routine Paraplegic poet meditates on T.R.   I sleep to wake and take my waking slow I fear my fate in what is no longer there I get nowhere that I used to go   We think we know what we don't know I  pray daily to be cured, I cry to rise from here I sleep to wake and take my waking slow   Many have abandoned me, both friend and foe God grant me strength!  I yearn for just one listening ear to take me somewhere that I used to go   Cruel April stalls spring, we've lost the status quo Climate change costs lives, increases costs for care I sleep to wake and take my waking slow   Reason eludes: why did life undo me so? One day, it might be you, run now in open air explore while you may, go far while you can go   Frayed nerves tremble me unsteady, I plead to know what lesson in legs' loss, I can't climb the stairs I sleep to wake and take my waking slow I can go nowhere that I want to go.     Akua Lezli Hope   --