Times They Are A Changing

We are all people of our time, so are there really any right or wrong ways to say something?

This is a memory I have, I decided to write about it having had a session of reminiscing with relatives at my aunts funeral earlier this year, and in doing so I ask simple questions; there is absolutely no intention to offend.

Mother, moderately disabled
from birth would tell me funny stories
about her youth and the Cripples Guild.
Of a boy she met there called Walter
who wore a hideously built up boot
because one of his legs was five inches
shorter than the other; he was shy boy
and awkward.

One night she took him
to dine with her brother and his wife,
it was a modest meal of cold meat
and pickles; all was fine until
he tried to spear a pickled onion
with his fork.
The fork slipped the onion
shot across the room as if with perfect aim
knocking my aunt’s best vase for six.

I still smile when I think of that tale,
yet I start to wonder, she was perfectly
happy using the C word, for she knew
that was what she was;
when did it become politically incorrect?

How long I wonder too will it take
until someone decides disabled
is an unkind word, and with what
will they replace it?