trapped

a gentle soul, trapped

within her damaged body

by a stroke

unsure, merely smiling, afraid

to speak because her words

come hard, garbled

greeted by two from different

care settings who can listen

and wait without anxiety

while she struggles

bring richer smiles

of joy in acceptance

incompetent, again

remaining in gear at the car wash

while i dug for their money

in my wallet while they

were already spraying toward

my open window

so, i lurched forward

was yelled at, “Stop!”

and the disgusted attendant

pointed to the sign commanding

the car be in neutral

how many times have i been through

an automatic car wash not to know?

how devastating that a minute virus

can grind me into incompetence

waiting to recover

a gentle day, not too hot, not too cold

enough sun to nurture the weeds

and the flowers, though they grow

more slowly and needing more care

i grit my teeth wanting to tend

the blooming iris and mow the too-

tall grass but i need to allow

myself to heal

i have experience in jumping

back into activity too soon

and long prolonging recovery

balance and poise

are not easy to achieve

hangry

hungry, tired, angry with the world

worn to the point of ‘just stop’

in love, we let them just stop

give them time to gather

their strength, their patience

their ability to give again

we give them time and space

to recover the resources they have

overspent in our behalf