EFFORT
I watched a boy walking, in each hand a cane,
You could see by his effort that he was in pain,
Swinging one leg then resting, a breath to take,
Ready for a great effort the next step to make.
He must have been about nine or ten years old,
Perspiration ran down his face though it was cold,
I slowed down, said hello and gave him a smile,
Then offered to walk with him for a little while.
He smiled back, nodded it was hard for him to talk.
I found out things about him as slowly we did walk,
He was born with twisted legs, had operations galore,
Now he could walk and that’s what he’d prayed for.
A young boy of ten showing faith and courage strong,
Grateful for the ability to just move slowly along,
He told me he was on an errand for a loaf of bread
And some cheese, he could remember that in his head.
Wise parents I thought letting the boy useful to be,
I really wanted to meet the rest of his great family,
We wandered back, effort in every painful stride
Now his pain he was finding very hard to hide.
I helped him open the gate, knocked on the door
A young lady in a wheelchair was mopping the floor,
Hi mom, please meet Ann she walked with me today,
All the way to the store and back, talking all the way.
Two happy smiling faces full of courage so strong
I though of when I grumble when things go wrong,
Never again will I complain when trials come my way,
I’ll just go and visit that family I met the other day.
(Millicent) Ann Margetson February 22, 2003