Back in the days before Covid-19, I went to a nearby nursing care facility to read my stories and play my guitar and sing. They enjoyed Folk songs from the sixties and gospel songs. One of the residents who came was a stroke victim. She had a difficult time speaking, but when we sang, she sang right along with us. It was a very moving experience to see this happening. This poem is for her.
She sings
though she cannot speak.
Halting words
say,
“Hel-l l lo.”
But, as the music plays…
Oh, can she sing
Every word plain and clear
smooth as jazz.
She sings
with
a smile
spreading across her face.
The words pour out
filling
her soul
with rhythm…
and yes
with spoken words
clear and unchained.
For the stroke
did not
affect that part of her brain.
***
Photo: Dwight L. Roth
Roth Poetry 