The clarity came
On a walk to the statue
Of Terry Fox.
Someone wrapped a scarf
Around Terry’s neck
Because it is cold.
Because he was cold.
In all my lament of why
During this pandemic
It struck me pausing to
Say hello to Terry that
The government simply
Does not care about my child
Because he is disabled.
That’s it, full stop.
They think he can’t learn or
Contribute to the economy
But the irony is
He could if only given the chance.
If only.
No matter.
His potential for taxable income
Is not what makes him human.
The government is not my friend.
The bureaucrats + politicians
Will never feel as strongly
About my son
As I do.
They will never love my son
As I do.
He’s a number
A co-morbidity
An erased statistic
A bullet they always
Forget to read
At every press conference.
Aye, but I have a secret.
I know better.
My boy and I
Sit on the red couch
And watch Netflix documentaries
Sometimes he reaches over
To hold my hand.
This might be a poor
Substitute teacher for school
But that’s what we have now
So he is safe
(I must keep him safe).
We have each other.
And it is enough.
I am enough.
He is enough.
Just because.
It is too much
To expect the
Government people
To care to understand
This kind of love.
Sue Robins
Comments