Thursday, January 11, 2007

hole in the heart

what is it like to be born with
a tiny little hole in the heart?
we who are on the outside
can we even begin to know?

what is it like to sit by the side
and watch the other kids play footer
then join in nevertheless
and feel faint after a while?

what is it like to eat bland food
and watch the others hog pizzas and fries,
to watch others hop skip and dance
join in and retire to watch again?

what is it like to go through
endless surgeries, constant checkups,
to suddenly lose consciousness
and be rushed to the hospital?

while we who are on the outside
can just watch helplessly and pray,
pray to all the Gods, all the mortals
please let him be well, let him heal.