wheels

I did not see it coming
The car hit me head on
It took my breath away
No more than that it 
Took my legs away
17 and legless
The object of pity.
She was married
She had just had a baby
It was crazyville
I watched her struggle
as her husband 
worked his ass off.
I fell in love with her too.
But only from my wheelchair.
She was thirty something
I did not ask 
I did not care.
I listened to her music
She listened to mine.
I listened to everything
She shouted or whispered.
I did not know 
What I could do if she
came to me naked.
I just wanted her that way.
Hormones don't have wheelchairs.
But paraplegics don't have girlfriends.
She came over to my den
I whispered it .
Too afraid to speak loudly.
I said I want you
I need you
She undressed
And she came to me
I felt myself respond
She did what women
Have done to men
that need them
Since time began.
She did What she could.
I missed her terribly
when she moved.
She said she was wrong.
But I did not listen.
I had lost my heart 
and my legs.

Five years later

It was summer 
The flowers were abundant
Sally my wife
Brought the children 
They were ready to leave
Their pushchairs
Even though
I would never
Leave mine.
She said 
I love you so much honey
I kissed her beautiful face.
And said
Not as much as I love you.

On some quiet moments
I think of the lady next door.
She lit a candle in my manhood
And it set fire to my soul
It became an inferno.
And I became a man.