It is easy to say all of the wrong things
to someone you imagine disabled,
some obvious, some less so, but
stop and consider if that person
has a partner, a lover, a spouse.
What do you say to that person
who lives with the same disability,
not wearing it but bearing it
to a lesser degree nonetheless?
As I lose my vision, my wife must
follow after me, see what I can
no longer clearly see, allowing me
my freedom while insuring I do not
bring harm to myself, to others.
And she has lost so much hearing
that even aided I must at times
listen for two, simultaneously interpret
and watch as the music she loved
and loves is taken away from her.
And we are the lucky ones, here
dealing with our disabilities, able
to get out, to walk, to cook, to read
and listen, and think of those
who would be so envious of our life.