Kaitlynn's Place

This is a poem that my mother, Chloe Oliver, wrote for Kaitlynn:

 

I saw you walk the garden path tonight.

You ran and romped as children often do.

You picked a flower and gave to me.

We walked together and you called my name.

You reached and grasped your mother's hand.

Then, in an instant, you were gone

Chasing butterflies and cats and little puppy dogs.

 

I saw you play with friends tonight.

Other five year olds with whom to say:

"Come, let's slide the slide and swing the swing!"

You yelled and screamed with great delight,

Running and chasing each other round and round.

Exasperated, you sat down to catch your breath.

Then, jumped back up to do it all again.

 

I saw you dance the dance tonight.

Wiggling in motion to each beat of the music.

You swayed to the rhythm and sang each line

As I and your mother watched every move.

Then you said: "I'm a star,come dance with me."

And we knew it was true and knew that we must.

So, we all swayed and wiggled and danced and sang.

 

Morning came, and I knew it was a dream.

For in your little chair,you do no such things.

Trapped in a body that will not work,

You sit in your place and watch all the world.

You watch the others and always observe

Every movement, each gesture, and each spoken word.

And I know that you want and desire what I dream.

 

I know that you do and someday you will.

A day will soon come when all is made right.

The earth will be cleansed and the lame will be whole.

And you my dear child will do many things.

No longer bound, your chair will not hold you.

You will walk and expound on all that you know.

No longer will actions be trapped in my dreams.

 

Then, we each will walk the garden path

And we will dance and sing together.

We will take each other hand in hand.

Yes, we will romp and play and learn.

We will do it all together

And we will do it with delight.

Till then,my love, you do it in my dreams.

 

Love,

NANNAN OLIVER