if you have never had crutches you do not know this
but….
they hurt your underarms in the worst kind of way
They are clumsy and difficult to use
Sometimes they pop against a rock and you go down hard
maybe harder than you did when you broke your leg
and had to have crutches in the first place
If you go to San Francisco and a homeless guy runs off with them
you get to sit on a park bench
hoping he will bring them back
This happened to me, and I was there by myself
Not a relative or a friend anywhere around
it was horrible
I frankly hope that crutches never come into my life again
using them is not half as much fun as it looks like
Categories:
crutches, life,
Form: Free verse
You are not a submissive mind.
Or a dominant mind.
You have attractions and desires.
They aren’t you. They aren’t your chains.
Neither are your life circumstances.
You are, with the infinite.
You experience this in the present moment.
Your mind is powerful. It is liberated. It is free. It can roam where it will.
It needs love. It needs care and feeding and nurturing.
It doesn’t need crutches, and it doesn’t need chains.
April 3rd, 2023
Categories:
crutches, freedom, growth, self,
Form: Free verse
ODE TO CRUTCHES
I had a knee replacement so I needed help
I could not walk safely by myself
So, I was given two sturdy crutches
And once I got them in my clutches
I walked here and there and everywhere
With more confidence but a bit of care
With physio my knee grew stronger
Two crutches I needed no longer
So, I progressed to just using one
My recovery had begun
I exercised at home and did physio at Westmead
I was very keen to succeed
To cut a very long story short
I am very happy to report
They helped me a lot but now that I’m stronger
I do not need crutches any longer
I have a long way to go
It won’t be easy, that I know
Thank you to all the people that help me every day
With their support and encouragement I know I will be okay.
Categories:
crutches, appreciation, change, confidence, courage,
Form: Rhyme
The familiar face looked grotesque.
Indelible imprints of blood stains,
scarred the contour of his body.
His skull had crushed on the windshield..
A rampage had ripped his nerves naked...
Kinetic ardour of the car, exiled him to static rust
in a vegetative state... bereft of cognition.
But his mind still addled... in lucid ambition.
His skin could still touch rain..
His eyes could still see lightning..
His ears could still hear thunder..
His heart could still feel pain.
Glint of two black marbles looked at the window..
Is it dusk or dawn?..
Searching for cognitive crutches....
Interim thoughts grope his head.....
Is he alive or dead?
29th December,2018
PLACED FIRST IN Brian Strand Jan Wk 2 contest
Originally submitted to the Brainy Brevity Poetry Contest of Maureen McGreavy
The theme of contest : "BRAIN INJURY"
Categories:
crutches, car, confusion, death, life,
Form: Free verse
To the man on crutches in camouflage eating a bun
You stole my wallet... you can HIDE, but you can't RUN
Isn't that a bit insensitive
That's the general consenses
All's fair in love and gibberage when you weight a ton
Categories:
crutches, simile,
Form: Limerick
Crutches, walkers, knee wraps, ankle wraps, wheelchairs, hot and icy.
Yes, I do have all of these things, ice bags too, and I am not afraid to use them.
I have arthritis in my feet. It is crazy how awful it can be to take a step sometimes and know
You cannot take another one. You have to have an assist to go one more stupid step.
I am always alert, aware, ready, as it happens more and more often lately, especially in stores.
With their hard concrete coming up to meet the bottom of your shoe.
I actually have two walkers, because I did not see the one with the seat
Until I had already bought the one without one.
And I never take anything back.
Our first baby had three buggies,
But that is another story
For another poem.
Categories:
crutches, old,
Form: Free verse
Oh my yes, I do have two walkers and a chromed wheelchair.
Procured them years ago when I tore my ACL one day.
Twas a mis-adventure of missing a chair high in the air.
When I take a painful arthritic step I do not delay.
Get out my arsenal of aids and travel without a care.
Helped friends who unexpectedly could not walk along the way.
Crazily handy to have these items that I love to share.
Categories:
crutches, self,
Form: Free verse
The Boy With The Crutches
It was a Tuesday
In February
A boy came to school on crutches
That he didn’t have
The day before.
I panicked, because I
Didn’t know
What happened.
That day, after school
I did my homework,
Ate my dinner,
And then I got on my laptop.
I played games until
I remembered
The boy with the crutches.
I emailed him, to ask if he was OK.
He replied within 30 seconds.
Even though he’s better now,
I will always remember him
As
The boy with the crutches.
Categories:
crutches, anxiety, crush, february,
Form: Free verse
A man on crutches passed me by
And sparked some rumination.
We all require some support
To keep in circulation.
It may not be as obvious
As crutches made of wood,
But something helps us get around
And live the lives we should.
Perhaps a person is the means
Of keeping us from falling –
A spouse or relative or friend
Who answers when we’re calling.
A pet may prop us properly,
Preventing us from flailing;
Or maybe just a lucky charm
Represses a derailing.
Whatever crutches we might use
To navigate our years,
I’m grateful, for their presence
Works to overcome our fears.
Categories:
crutches, introspection, may,
Form: Rhyme