In the wheelchair
rocking
pushing forward from the hips
seeking that thing
that fell to the ground
in the day room
after breakfast
Was it a last bit of muffin
or a hidden gem
no one else could see
but she knows is there
She reaches, straining
nobody notices
they never do
She leans forward, harder
wishing it with all her might
that feeling of flight
forward motion
ever forward
she is going somewhere
despite her shrunken legs
which fail her
She will fly
and not shield her eyes
why would she
shield her eyes?

It was worth the cut
and the swollen red eye
They will think she
was in a fight–
how exciting!
They will take her to the hospital,
patch her up
She forgets what happened
doesn’t know why
but she will not lose
the will to fly