ABOUT
THE AUTHOR
A poet living in North Carolina, I have produced a prodigious amount of work since the September 11 attacks on our nation! I most enjoy using poetry to tell stories; some true experiences, some fictional, some dreams, etc. Still searching for an agent/editor/publisher who does not run screaming from the room at the mention of the word "poetry" (sigh)..... reviews, opinions and comments welcome.... feel free to email! Thanks for reading! [December 2001]
AUTHOR'S OTHER TITLES (1) The Photograph (Poetry) Narrative verse. [987 words] [Mystical]
The Deal Dusty A Tincher
THE DEAL
I'm getting old----my body aches Parts don't work like they should My arthritis flares and all my joints Feel like they're made of wood! My vision's bad---my hearing's gone My memory's fading too I'm forgetting where I put things And there's nothing I can do! I used to grumble all the time Self-pity was my friend Until the day a strange encounter Brought all that to an end I was in a department store And suddenly, racing down the aisle Came a tiny girl in a wheelchair Who wore a brilliant smile She giggled most excitedly As she went zooming past... Close behind her, came her mother Also laughing and gaining fast! She caught her on the corner Close by where I stood Both of them were laughing The woman panted, "You're getting good!" She saw me watching then and smiled "I don't know how she copes!" The way that she's adjusted Goes beyond what we had hoped!" I grinned, "She's certainly cheerful! And having quite a ball" The small girl looked up at me and said "Most times it doesn't hurt at all!" My interest caught, I started "What--" The mother quickly shook her head, "I can't even pronounce the thing The doctors are amazed she isn't dead! They all say its a miracle That she somehow survived! Though she's paraplegic now And she's only just turned five!" She checked her watch and hesitated, "I hate to impose.... But could you stay with her a moment While I try on some clothes?" "Of course," I smiled at the girl, "I wouldn't mind a bit!" I moved behind the wheelchair Wondering where to sit; Then I spied at aisle's end The patio furniture on display... I took a seat and faced the child Unsure just what to say, "Want to see me go way up high?" She worked a lever with her mouth The chair zoomed up as she giggled, "Now we're headed south!" Up and down the applicance went Till I laughed, "I'm getting dizzy!" Again she flashed that brilliant smile, And said, "Lady, you are silly!" "Does it hurt very much," I asked "Are you in lots of pain today?" She looked thoughtful, "No, not anymore, Jesus takes it all away!" My face must have been a question mark "Want me to tell you how? It used to get me mixed up, too But I understand it now!" She said, "Before the accident When I was littler and still well? I loved all the Jesus stories That Mama used to tell... She told me lots of different ones How He saved people who were lost But my favorite one has always been The one 'bout Him on the cross! Even though it made me cry Cause he always looked so sad Those thorns! And nails in his hands? That must have hurt Him awful bad! Mama said He died for us So we all could go to heaven My brother says He wanted to And he's smart, 'cause he's eleven! Then we had the accident I remember hearing Daddy shout Lots of sirens, smoke and noise And somebody yelling, 'Get her out!' When I woke up, I couldn't move And I thought I might be dead That's when I looked and there was Jesus! Standing right beside my bed! At first I was awful scared 'Cause I didn't know who He was... But then He smiled and I was sure No one has eyes like Jesus does!" Her story held me spellbound Though I knew it was make-believe... Who wouldn't want to play pretend Instead of whine and grieve? "Then what happened next," I asked She grinned, "That's when we made the deal! Jesus said he could take away All the pain I'd feel! He said He'd heard me when I cried About the thorns stuck in His head And that He could see how much I loved Him Guess He heard what Mama read! He said love made pain disappear From His head and hands and feet He told me I was very brave And also very sweet! Then He said that every time it hurts I should think of Him and pray Cause He had hurt lots more than me And He could make it go away! So every time I feel it start, Before I get too sad? I remember what they did to Jesus And then it doesn't seem so bad!! It works every single time When I close my eyes and pray First I feel Him take my hand Then the pain just goes away!" Her little eyes were shining As her story reached its end I said, "You really love Him, don't you?" She nodded, "He's my bestest friend!" And you want to know a secret? You have to promise not to tell One day I'll run and play again Cause in Heaven, I'll be well!" I felt my tears begin to fall, As her mom returned saying, "Thanks so much!" Its a challenge to find a sitter now With the special needs and such!" I waved my hand and wiped my eyes "Little Miss...it's been a pleasure What I've gotten from this visit Is worth more than any treasure!" For I knew that single meeting Had forever changed my point of view My aches and pains were nothing compared To what our sins put Jesus through! My self-pity had disintegrated In that department store I felt more grateful at that momemt Than I'd ever been before! The small girl and her mother Were almost out of sight And, it was as I hurried after them That I saw the glow of light! It seemed to hover near the chair And I could just make out the form Of a very tall and slender man, Heard laughter, deep and warm As I approached, He turned to face me And His gentle, knowing smile, Seemed to somehow charge the atmosphere Around the mother and crippled child I knew no one else could see him And as the child laughed once again, I realized this could only be, Her special, 'bestest' friend! I caught up as they neared the door All out of breath, "Please! Wait!!" "I forgot to ask----what is your name?" She giggled, "Can't you guess? It's Faith!" I started laughing with her, "Of course.....I should have known! It's right there in the Bible.... ..... a little child shall lead them home!"
Submit Your Review for The Deal
Required fields are marked with (*). Your e-mail address will not be displayed.