Thank you to Kathy Kieth of Medusa's Kitchen for publishing 7 of my poems today.  This one is truly special and he's doing very well now.  Thanks for asking!

http://medusaskitchen.blogspot.com

Creating "The Glass Windows behind the Plants"

My younger brother, Philip, left this morning to go home after a 4-day visit.  One year ago, he underwent surgery for the creation of a neo-bladder after cancer was found in his original bladder. This is very rough surgery.  I spent several days at the hospital with him post-surgery.  His recovery was slow and painful in the beginning.  I have a severe fear of heights.  He asked me to write about our journey up and down the hall as he got used to the "new him."

"The Glass windows Behind the Plants"

The Glass Windows Behind the Plants

They stood together in the hospital hall,

Each with a seemingly insurmountable fear.

He with a path so long, and the burden he carried so heavy,

She unable to lean forward from the eighth floor.

Together they promised each other,

One step at a time, one tile at a time,

Each step closer to the end of the hall,

Each tile closer to the window.

They began.

He went further,

She went further.

He channeled gazelles, swift and light,

She channeled eagles, high flying and fearless on the air.

His hospital gown trembled,

Her legs trembled.

At the end he’d walk the length several times

and had looked up and seen her smile,

At the end she had pressed her forehead 

against the glass and looked down

And he smiled back.

Afterthoughts for "The Glass Windows Behind the Plants"

We can easily forgive a child who is afraid of the dark; the real tragedy of life is when men are afraid of the light. 

Plato

I think fearless is having fears but jumping anyway.

Taylor Swift

I'm not afraid of storms, for I'm learning how to sail my ship. 

Louisa May Alcott