GRACE BLIND 1940

A WOMAN FINDS HERSELF IN HOSPITAL IN 1940 AND DISCOVERS SHE IS BLIND AND HAS LOST BOTH LEGS

I open my eyes
but it's dark
and I wonder
if it's night or morning

where am I
I muse

I feel the pillow
behind my head

my ears bring me
sounds of snoring and moaning
and footsteps passing by
the foot of my bed

where am I?
I say

I reach out
but nearly knock over
a glass on my right side

what's the matter Grace?
a voice says to my right

where am I?
I say

hospital you've been here
since your house
was bombed in the Blitz
the voice says

hospital of course
it comes back to me
but I can't see

it's all dark
I say

she moves closer
places a hand on my arm
you're blind Grace
she breathes near me
don't you remember
me telling you?

I think hard
and search in the darkness
about me
and it comes back
to me suddenly
and the shock hits me inwardly
and I reach down
and feel along my thighs
and come to the stumps
where my lower legs
used to be

my legs have gone
I say panicky
I feel around
searching for her
and grab a hand

yes
she says
I told you Grace
both lost

the shock rushes through me
and I begin to weep
like a child
and the memories
of dancing with Clive
flood my mind
and I see him
despite being blind.