I Met

an angel today
without wings and other
rules to share
no smile nor ruby
red lips. And I leaned
listening for words
of peace erupt from a
well-rounded mouth
but not
today I understood.

All I saw was
this scrunched up lady
her smile a wince of pain
arm too weak to
comb a stack of hair
legs spindly
her head hanging
to the right
as if strength was foreign
in her demeanor.

You look in great pain
I questioned.
Yes all over a sad
response. Yes---all over.
And yet she delivers wisdom
they say
when questions repeat
softly and answered with
humility.

I wish I had the courage
to walk that path
and show others there is no need
to exclaim the pain
but focus on a plan in life
only to endure
humbly and without rancor
in spite of arthritic pain.

© Richard L. Provencher