Colored Pencil Illustration by G.Gaul 4/23
I saw a one-legged Sandpiper today on the beach. I saw him land on his single pedestal, it was an artful thing. Entranced by his disability, I stood transfixed with curiosity. I so wanted to help him but we're worlds apart. How can he feed? How can he fend? Suddenly, he flew away up the beach, I followed him. There he stood lightly wafting in the wind, still balanced on that single leg. His fellow Sandpipers scurry about unnoticing his remarkable challenge. Later, a kindly friend told me shorebirds often hide one leg to conserve energy. Silly, I felt a loss for my misplaced empathy towards my one-legged friend. What a self-centered bubble I live in. We're always so troubled by what we think we know. Truth is, we know so little. Next time on the beach, I'll look for the one-legged Sandpiper. It'll remind me that there's so much I still don't know.
Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.
