A poem inspired by Zach Anner
I paused
In between words spoken
Through the corner of my eye
I noticed her black eyes
Stillness
And a tear down her cheek
Presence shows herself
In mysterious ways
He spoke with humor lightness and joy
The most confident person in the room
Cannot walk
The most disabled
Lights us up
How does he do it
What does his voice say
In moments of quiet
When no one is listening
He could not do it alone
He needed his friends for everything
Hikes through the forest
Kayak trips in the lake
To lift him up
To climb the stairs
“So many fucking stairs”
That he could never take
But what about us others
“Disabilities invisible”
What right do we have
To ask for help?
Please
Just stop for a second
Stop that will
To do it alone
Prove the impossible
Stand bare chested in the cold
Please for a moment
Look around
These others beside you
They need your hand
The one that reaches
And asks to be led
They need your love
More than your head
Today…
A voice spoke out
From a different place
Was held by a look
And a tear down her face.
