I Have a Beautiful Friend

I have a beautiful friend

Who has lived in his wheelchair

For over fifty some years

Can’t talk, can’t move much

Paralyzed since childhood

A true prodigal returning from suffering

Under his instruction, head

Turning from left to right

I fished out five books

Of poetry he has published

His face beet red from struggling

To make out an intelligible word

A beautiful man, I mean

His eyes, burning with more love

Than I have seen in most people

Drooling like a baby when

I read out loud his love poems

Of flowers, pain and love. And soon

Tears flooded our laughter

::

z.z.

2006