Wheelchair

WHEELCHAIR

TODAY THE WHEEL CAME OFF MY WHEELCHAIR
IMAGINE THAT
I HAD A FLAT
ON LIFE’S HIGHWAY

NOT REALLY
THE TIRE CAME OFF THE RIM
NOT A SIN
BUT AN INCONVENIENCE

WE HAD WANTED TOO SEE THE OCEAN
AND WE DID
I LEANING BACK
AND TO ONE SIDE FOR BALANCE
SO THAT THE RIM WAS OFF THE GROUND

WE LAUGHED
THERE WAS NOTHING ELSE TO DO
LEANING BACK AND TO THE SIDE
I MUST HAVE LOOKED
MORE CRIPPLED THAN I AM

PEOPLE OFFERED TO HELP
THE INATE GOODNESS OF MAN
THAT REFLECTS HIS CREATOR

I GOT OFF AND WALKED
WHICH BETTER BALANCED THE CHAIR
SAW THE OCEAN
WHICH ALWAYS SEEMS TO ME
TO BE CARRYING MESSAGES
FROM A DISTANT PLACE
MESSAGES WHICH RESONATE
WITH MESSAGES WRITTEN IN MY HEART

I SHALL REMEMBER
THE DAY THE WHEELCHAIR BROKE
AND THE GOODNESS OF PEOPLE

I SHALL REMEMBER OUR LAUGHTER
WHICH PERMEATES OUR LIVES
THE ICE CREAM WE HAD GOING HOME
THE MESSAGE
TASTE AND SEE
THE LORD IS GOOD



FRANK A VOLLMER