Keep Walking

I remember the day so clearly,

she came into my hospital room,

sitting on the bed she asked,

“How important is walking to you?”

 

‘Incredulous, Are you kidding?’  I thought!

 

Walking is everything, and

  while I can I will,

to keep going despite the

  days and years. 

It’s one thing I can do 

  fairly easily at this stage. 

Many can’t, a time long gone,

many can’t, a forced living and

  no fault of their own,

many can’t, a misadventure

  in a youthful craze,

many lives, many situations,

many stories!

 

We talked about reality, 

about outcomes, about future, 

we talked about timelines

 

I’ve got to keep going,

the need for calipers, crutches

  for mobilizing, stability, but

  the gift of walking,

sometimes hard, the effort,

sometimes hard, heat fatiguing,

sometimes hard, calluses, chaffing, 

sometimes hard, the compromise, but

  my mantra to keep walking.

 

We talked about the realities 

  of future years, sobering!

 

I think of life, of living,

I’m there, it’s around me everyday, and

  I’m alive, God’s gift despite all.

For whatever my circumstances,
I’m alive and I have this gift!

Many can’t, the hand has dealt,

many can’t, imprisoned in a shell,

many can't, accidents unforseen,

many can’t, the brutality of another,

many lives, many stories, but

  I have this chance!

 

Not to squander the blessing

  I’ve been given,

Not to squander in their memory.

 

Calipers, now so much me,

such a long time together, 

not even a thought given

  day to day,

they are part of me and

  just part of an everyday.

Calipers, I’m strong with them, 

secure, confident, empowered;

independence, freedom, choice.

 

The wheelchair looks inviting, 

the safer option, but

  to remember walking my need

  to walk, in getting around.

A joy, despite the effort

despite the heat,

despite the cold, but

  to keep walking!

Reviews

[Patricia]

This is fabulous! Strong, endurance, determination…this I know all too well, I’m a nurse and spent a lot of it as a rehab nurse, and also a patient in need of physical therapy for many years and to keep moving was everything, everyday, we don’t do it alone but we make the decision alone, sometimes I wanted to give up and just lay down and not get up again because of the pain so I understand the pain in this and the hero you have to be to yourself. I now walk five miles a day and it’s painful but it’s everything. This should be read and remembered because everyone at some point can benefit from this write….well done. Be strong!

[Richard M]

Dearest Patricia, Thank you for reading and your beautiful words to me. I always love hearing of the stories of others. Thank you for telling me about you and hope you are okay? Thinking of you
(((GENTLE HUGS))) xx

[Cherrie Palmer]

This is what gives mankind that spark. The will to keep going to push through -struggle through. To hold on to what we claim. Life is a gift and a blessing from God above. What powerful writing.

[Richard M]

Thank you Cherrie for reading. Glad you enjoyed it. Appreciate your comments. Yes, it's the only way to go!
Thanks for stopping by.
Richard

[Coyote Poetry]

Powerful and worthwhile words shared.
"A joy, despite the effort
despite the heat,
despite the cold, but
to keep walking!"
I loved the above lines. I do understand them. Thank you Richard for sharing the amazing poetry and your thoughts.
Coyote

[Richard M]

Thank you Coyote for reading. I am thrilled you like this piece. Was easy to write this poem for obvious reasons. I'm really interested, in my writing, to go back and think, remember, reflect on how things, the way I felt, etc. This, not in bemoaning my situation, but in strength, perspective, understanding.
Thanks for stopping by.
Take care my friend.
Richard

[Coyote Poetry]

I did enjoy and you are welcome Richard.

[Lydia Shutter]

Richard, I had to learn to walk again after a bad accident when I was only 19. The doctors thought I would never walk without crutches or a walker. I proved them wrong. When you really want something, you work through the pain to get to your goal. Just know I am rooting for you. If those calipers help you walk, just be thankful you have them. Your poetry is empowering. Lydi**

[Richard M]

Thank you Lydia for reading and for telling me your story. Thank you so much for your support.
Take care my friend.
Richard xx

[LJW]

That's the spirit!
After a couple of serious medical problems involving my brain this year, I concur.

I am alive. Many aren't.

[Richard M]

Thank you for reading. Pleased you enjoyed it. Thank you for telling me of your situation. I wish you well in your recovery my friend.

[LJW]

Awwww....thank you so much.

[barleygirl]

Amen, brother! I can stand about 2 or 3 hours per day out of my wheelchair & it's excruciatingly painful but soooo worth it. To be outside, in the garden, where the wheelchair won't go. You have sufficiently spewed out the convincing excitement that lets us all know how hard we will fight for any little bit of walking!!!! When I was at the Cafe before (been gone 4 months), I didn't see new postings from you for a long while. I hope you're posting regularly now becuz you're a powerful honest heartfelt poet (((HUGS)))

[Richard M]

Thank you Margie for your beautiful words and for your wonderful complement. Love my words! I had a Stroke in July last year and, for a time, lost my words. I am doing a lot better now; still in recovery and learning to walk again (Ironic, given the title of this poem.) My words are coming back too, sooo happy!
Take care my friend and thank you.

[barleygirl]

So sorry for your tough stretch & fully admiring your tough ability to snap back from many tough licks! You are an inspiration! (((HUGS)))

[Richard M]

Thank you Margie (((HUGS))) back. xx

[S.zaynab.kamoonpury]

A fab poem that conveys the need and desire of walking. You write expressing with fine word choice and super refrain. Kudos!
Plz do read and comment my newest poem too

[Richard M]

Thank you for reading and will be happy to read your work. Take care my friend :)

[Chris Shaw]

Dear Richard your words here are wonderfully inspirational. I applaud your positive outlook. Concentrating, on what you can do rather than what you can't. Shows this reader your strength of character. Rejecting the safer option and going with the one which takes much effort mentally and physically, for the sheer love of walking. Well done dear friend.

Chris

[Richard M]

Thank you so much Chris for your words and for understanding.

Richard

[Chris Shaw]

You are welcome. My pleasure.

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

Very inspiring and shows the will and spirit of a strong human being. When hope is everything. Thank you for sharing your words.

[Richard M]

Thank you Carlos reading and for your words. In all the mess of a handicap I've had from birth, I refuse to wallow and to shine through this.