World of pain

Parts 1 and 2

1.

As of now, I no longer inhabit

the world where you live,

the one where

people casually bend to pick up what they’ve dropped;

heft a heavy bag unthinkingly across a shoulder,

walk for the pleasure of doing so,

stretch out to lift the phone without

a moment’s pause, to reflect on

the beauty of untrammelled motor function.

 

2.

Yesterday, I lunged for a volley

(made it, since you ask),

today, helping me dress myself

is your day’s first task.