What would you give to be normal, she asked
Looking me straight in the eye
I paused a moment in order to give
A completely honest reply
What would I give to be normal
The question, itself, wasn't new
Quick to mind came all the things
I could now no longer do
The list was long, and the list was sad
Of that I was painfully sure
I could sit a while, with my “losses list”
And continually add to it more
I returned my thoughts to the question
What did it really mean
And decided the answer was simpler
Than at first, to me, it seemed
I faced my well intended friend
My response, I knew, was true
In every way that matters the most
I'm just as normal as you
My world is restricted and narrow
Compared to where you reside
But it doesn't mean my spirit or soul
Need lessen in worth or size
No matter how wakened my body
I&
#039;ll persist at any length
Not to allow my frailties
To negate my inner strengths
I wish, I hope, I dream, I pray
Quite often, I sit and cry
As long as there's laughter and love in my life
I'll know I'll continue to try
As children of our creator
We're equally valued the same
We're not defined by health or wealth
Position, power, or fame
I may never be fully, physically well
While here upon our earth
But normal or not, I'll do my best
Not to let it determine my worth
*
by Saundra Sharp
140 Jessie Stoudemeyer Rd.
Little Mountain, SC 29075
This poem won third place in the Toxic Times Literary contest. Saundra is homebound with MCS. If you benefited from her poem, you can drop her a note acknowledging her fine work and wishing her well. You may or may not get an answer. Hope you understand.