Poetry in a Pandemic: One second to change your life
It takes one second for your life to change
you go to buy a pizza for your kid and your body becomes rearranged
You learned you were trying to help a screaming mother
and a ninety-year-old man ran his car into your son and daughter
This had a rippling effect pushing your car to run you over
you wake up in a hospital needing a total makeover
The only thing you can use is your eyes
what do you mean doctor I almost died.
Why can’t I move or talk
all I remember is nothing but poppycock.
I was told I was in a ten-day coma and may never walk
My mother said Oh Dr. can we talk
Oh, you don’t know my daughter
She’s going to take that weakness and become stronger
I had to learn everything again like a newborn
This struggle has truly made me take the bull by the horns
My goal was very simple from the beginning
I was going to go home forgiving
But first I had to learn how to go back to my basics
After that I will go home nothing but gracious
This journey is not for the faint hearted
but the best thing is I am not unsupported
From beginning to end
I have this to recommend
Find out what is truly important
or your life in a second will become discordant
Tonya Louise
East Lyme
Poetry in a Pandemic offers local readers a chance to share their poetry written during or related to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. To contribute, email times@theday.com.
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