I stare at you and see only myself.
You wear the masks of fear and regret
Which I can only expect
To outlast the good memories
Unless I write those smiling moments down.
You have stolen my youth,
My friends, my sanity, my careers, my perspective,
And now you want to take my face.
So I will wear the face of a clown?
You are disability.
“Dis-” : Latin prefix which means an opposing force.
We all know what ability means because all our superheroes
Have at least one.
Opposite of ability is disability.
“Dis-:” slang for disrespecting a person who is worthy.
My ability is worthy of me.
I am worthy of her.
In a way I have won.
Like you, disability, I used to steal
Because I thought I could not buy or earn.
So disability, you are the thief.
So the fear and regrets should be yours.
I will look past you, disability,
And see ability.
As you fade, I will regain all that I thought that
I had lost
In the frost of your lies.
I will be able to carry thoughts and reality
With ability.
I hope fear and regret don’t outlast the good memories, for anyone.
LikeLike
These lines –>
“I will look past you, disability,
And see ability”
became the center for me, reading.
Kevin
LikeLike
Wow, Helen, you nail this. You are so on point woman!
Thank you. I like reading this so early. Makes me realize that the TBI which was supposed to dis-able me, has actually helped to make me SMARTER!
How?
It has allowed my brain to begin using more of it’s once hidden ABILITY.🙂🙏
LikeLiked by 1 person
DISability: to not be able. I am not able to write poetry. I envy you for your great ability to do so.
LikeLike
I bet that you can.
LikeLike
I like the intro because of the dialogue between first and second person who are one and the same starts immediately. Your piece reminded me of fear: false evidence about reality.
LikeLike
Wow, this is deep and beautiful. I love so many parts of this poem but “the frost of your lies” really sticks with me.
LikeLike