Unwelcome Attention
The fan in the living room
Oscillates loudly
As I sit
Left knee swollen up on a pillow
On the sofa
Trying to read, get comfortable
Hard to bounce up
And walk, or drive or run to the telephone
The first of three knee surgeries
Each one with many stitches
Many weeks on crutches
Those hated ugly walking sticks
Useful only as partial help
Useful only in attracting stupid questions
How did you do that? What happened?
Tired of repeating the same silly story
Of my own clumsiness
In a sociable tone of voice
I’d rather pour a pot
Of hot chocolate on
Someone’s head
Let it trickle slowly
Onto their hair
Then onto their shirt (or blouse)
Hands, pants, shoes
I silently limp away
Crutches making their
Squish noise
On the tile floor.
Pamela Papas
Oct. 2011
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