Homecoming

Love rejected where disability is involved! Written a long time ago.

 

Constantly blown, tossed by the winds

  of love rejected,

moved by currents of the churning seas;

of attitude, coldness, apathy.

Wanting to share with someone in truthfulness, honesty,

to tell them how I feel, expressing inner desires,

but am dashed against jagged rocks

  of bitterness, shame;

judged emotionally, physically by my appearance.

 

I close the door against the cold;

against indifference, detachment.

I am warm, dry, safe.

A time to return to me,

things around me familiar;

quietness, peace, security abound,

still I am me; unmoved, uncompromising

  in who I am.

Thoughts, views, opinions, character,

still constitute me; the heart, the soul,

laying testament to my life.

They are mine and I am home!

 

A chest unopened;

the index of a life lived,

a life remaining covered;

unexplored, uncharted by another,

things lying dormant within,

hidden, undiscovered.

This life is mine;

my experiences, knowledge

  forming the person inside.

A heart untouched,

a mind, a soul unknown,

knowledge of my life,

my existence, my handicap

  are as nothing to those

  of my longing.

 

Trying to pursue something meaningful, beautiful;

to rise above the broken pieces

  of what is so readily seen,

to put behind me outward appearance.

I have nothing to hide, nor be ashamed of,

my love true, my feelings honest.

 

My body, my handicap,

somehow, strangely

  a shelter safe, a fortress strong,

surrounded by walls of silence,

the power and strength within.

My handicap sheltering me;

cladding my body,

its secrets, its inner knowledge withheld.

My world safe, unchallenged,

protected by an awareness of self,

my shell complete.

 

Made strong by circumstance.

Callipers, crutches, images of me,

defining the person I am,

whether or not they choose to follow,

this is me and I am home!

 

What should I care,

as life still pulses within,

my path free, unobscured.

For them an opportunity lost,

knowledge denied,

blinds drawn, doors closed

  all remains inside!

 

Reviews

[barleygirl]

I've been disabled due to neck injury, unable to walk unassisted for ten years (half the time in wheelchair). This message comes the closest to anything I've read or written about this experience. You say "love" in your intro line, but this also applies to friendships & acquaintances. I love the way you tackle a different brick of this journey in each stanza, each being an important part of the process of acceptance. To me, the important thing is not defining myself by my disability (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Richard M]

Dear Margie Thank you for your words and honesty. A tender area of my life, that I've yearned for so much. Thank you for fresh eyes in reading (((GENTLE HUGS)))

[Kathy Van Kurin]

'Homecoming'
Richard M,
What defines a human being? We all struggle through different seasons and for different reasons throughout our lives. Your above writing shows the intricacy of who you are. Your very way of expressing your thoughts and feeling are yours alone, unique to you. This poem was truly lovely and a true insight into the person you are inside regardless and in spite of any difficulty or trial. A person can choose to continue to live and become stronger in any difficulty. Beautiful work!
Blessings,
Kathy

[Richard M]

Thank you Kathy for reading and for your words.

[Kathy Van Kurin]

I enjoyed your poem. It explained many things that needed to be read and understood. Have a great day!
Kathy

[Coyote Poetry]

I wonder do we decide our path? Our ending?Made strong by circumstance.
"Callipers, crutches, images of me,
defining the person I am,
whether or not they choose to follow,
this is me and I am home!"
The above lines. Hard but true. Thank you Richard for sharing the powerful and worthwhile poetry.
Coyote

[Richard M]

Thank you Coyote, sincerely for your words and insights. Appreciated!

[Coyote Poetry]

You are welcome Richard.

[Onlyme]

Richard if anyone just sees you as disabled more fool them. As a human being are much more than just able-bodied. 2 arms and legs. We all have a great big heart and soul. And spirit. That reaches out and touches others. Richard you for one. Are one of those persons. I value as a dear true friend. I don't see you as disabled or whatever. I see you for you. Richard. A loving, heart-hearted, decent, down to earth, loyal, considerate, thoughtful. Man. Who writes from the heart, mind and soul. And gives all. Like myself. No one in life is perfect. We all have flaws. And anyone who thinks or believes they are perfect. Something is far wrong with them. You are you, Richard. a beautiful human being.

[Richard M]

Happy, loving tears here (((HUGEST HUGS))) Thank you dear friend for seeing the heart.

[Onlyme]

Richard, please never forget you are more than your disability. YOU ARE YOU. A WONDERFUL HUMAN BEING WHO IAM GLAD TO HAVE AS A DEAR FRIEND.

[Richard M]

Thank you Dee, as I you! A lifelong this, but still get caught in the potholes.x

[Onlyme]

Ironically that is what happens Richard. Life keeps kicking us up the bottom. At times. Sadly. We weather the storm. And come out the end. Makes us see we are mere human beings.

[Chris Shaw]

You have found your strength despite all Richard. It is always the person inside that counts in my book, appearance is a shallow way to judge a person. Lovely poem.

Chris

[Richard M]

Thank you Chris for your beautiful words and understanding. These days the emotional side seems greater than the physical handicap.

[Chris Shaw]

It is a wonderful thing if the physical handicap is not dictating your life for you. That says a great deal about you Richard and the way you want to live your life.

[Richard M]

Beautiful Chris, thank you with happy tears (((HUGS))) xx