The Woman with the Foot

Body-mind is surprised:
to be suddenly down, bone edges grating.
to be a young doctor who splints it crooked.
to be a competent surgeon who casts it that way.

Nature plays its role:
twice in a row Tuesday night rains
make impassable the long, muddy trail
before Wednesday appointments
— and there's no phone.

Separate-self plays its role:
in terror about money
she removes the cast at home,
too late to re-set the bone,
too costly to re-break it.

The One who directs the drama
also spins the wheel
clockwise from above
then moves to show it spinning
counterclockwise from below.

Torrential losses leave the woman with the foot
free.
The bell of impermanence tolls
in her roughened gait.

11/17/94