Ode to My Missing Right Arm
Old arm you were always there.
I paid you too little mind.
You were there when I woke
You brushed my teeth
You brought food to my hungry mouth
You helped my hand to write
You filled my sleeve and tied my shoe
You scratched my head when I was puzzled
You did my hugging and tugging
You did my saluting and waving
In the pool you were my strong stroke
On the field you threw and caught
You were a handy working part of me
When I woke up each morning you were there.
The sleeve now is empty
It hangs as it is pinned
Now you are not there when I wake.
I can still feel my fingers tingle
There is phantom pain in my wrist
I brush my teeth with my left hand and think of you
I eat left-handed and think of you
I type now and think of you
I cannot write with my left hand
My hugs and tugs are awkward and I think of you
I wear sandals that are not tied
No longer swim, throw nor catch but I think of you
Throughout the day I remember how it used to be
A missing limb sure has a way of being noticed
You are not there anymore
But you remind me a thousand times a day.
Doug Minnis 9/27/2016