The Healing

This was written in 2000 when I was immobilized for two months after a fracture involving my left knee.

     Do you know you have a left knee?
     I never knew till the day I fell.
     So perhaps it was his revenge that he broke.
     A betrayal, when everything else had held.

     He was plastered and bandaged.
     I was ignored.
     But even from within the plaster,
     he would not let me forget.

     We argued through sleepless nights.
     And when I finally dozed off, tired,
     in dreams he would grow monstrous,
     threatening to crush me.

     Later in the starched daylight,
     I would strangulate him
     efficiently with deliberate,
     tight turns of crepe bandage.

     Healing has been a long process and slow.
     As bone joined bone,
     and the pain's nagging calls ceased,
     we have learnt about each other.

     His is a sad little story.
     A life unknown and deeds unsung.
     He knows now my pain
     and forgives my follies.

     We have taken a few strolls.
     I can feel him at every awkward step.
     He accepts part of my weight.
     We are even beginning to enjoy the walk !