Storm Birds OR Inspirational

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/R._N._Taber

Today's poem first appeared on the blog in 2012.

Since a bad fall about 10 years ago,  I have been physically disabled - if only slightly compared to many people - and had to spend  a good year or so learning to walk again. I will be 75 later this year and  manage to get out and about quite well in spite of various problems with the same foot that suffered a complicated ankle fracture. I use a walking stick which might as well be invisible for all the notice many able bodied people take of it when I am out and about. Cyclists on the pavements and people more interested in their mobile phones and/or listening to music on headphones invariable expect me to get out of their way because they have no clear appreciation of their immediate environment. Heaven forbid they should try looking where they are going! Even so, I remain a Happy Bunny...most of the time. wry bardic grin

There are, of course, disabled gay men and women worldwide; among them, those determined to follow their dreams in various areas of achievement, including sport and the arts. All, like everyone else, can do no more or less than get on with the daunting task of daily life even if - for many if not most - that is likely to prove even more daunting.  

As someone who has suffered significant hearing loss all my life (much improved with digital hearing aids) I often have balance problems. Given, too, that deafness is an invisible disability, with which many hearing people quickly lose patience, it is perhaps not surprising that I have always felt a considerable affinity with disabled people who are frequently - intentionally or otherwise - put down by the less enlightened among the able-bodied majority.

It is great to see more - if relatively few - disabled people represented in the occasional popular TV series like Vera and Silent Witness; mobility problems don't necessarily mean the brain is also affected (as so many people seem to assume.) 

Disabled people worldwide are an inspiration, ordinary folks, just wanting to be treated much like anyone else and encouraged to pursue their natural human potential as far as possible; is that so much to ask?

I am dedicating today's poem to disabled people everywhere.

This poem is a villanelle. 

STORM BIRDS or INSPIRATIONAL

Where able bodied folks go

in a brave new world

the less able, too, dare follow

Nor must we ever fail to show

respect for the D-word

where able bodied folks go

Find inspiration’s brilliant glow

in a storm bird;

the less able, too, dare follow

Love challenges all in the know

(Theatre of the Absurd)

where able bodied folks go

For dreams hid under a rainbow,

hope deferred,

the less able, too, dare follow

Life-force (now ally, now foe)

at best a gift shared...

Where able bodied folks go,

the less able, too, dare follow

Copyright R. N. Taber 2012