The Quadriplegic
A short war story28 total reviews
Comment from michaelcahill
So much ground covered in such a short piece. The horror of war. The resilience of man. The irony of life. The common ground that we all walk on just one or two steps apart. And that can make all the difference. This is one that will just stay as a part of me. Wonderful poetry. mike
reply by the author on 07-Oct-2013
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So much ground covered in such a short piece. The horror of war. The resilience of man. The irony of life. The common ground that we all walk on just one or two steps apart. And that can make all the difference. This is one that will just stay as a part of me. Wonderful poetry. mike
Comment Written 07-Oct-2013
reply by the author on 07-Oct-2013
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Thanks Michael. The nurses told me that he was a professional gambler who made a great deal of money, most of which he donated back to the hospital.
Comment from Eternal Muse
This was a priceless poem, with many finds. "He was hit by friendly fire" gave me goosebumps. Merely a child, at 16, and confined to a wheel chair for live. Wars are sordid, ugly things; people are crippled for the sake of someone's insane ambition.
This was what good poetry is about:
Against all the odds,
he had eventually become good
at picking a winner.
This poem left a lasting impression on me, which will stay for years. Superb write, my friend.
reply by the author on 07-Oct-2013
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This was a priceless poem, with many finds. "He was hit by friendly fire" gave me goosebumps. Merely a child, at 16, and confined to a wheel chair for live. Wars are sordid, ugly things; people are crippled for the sake of someone's insane ambition.
This was what good poetry is about:
Against all the odds,
he had eventually become good
at picking a winner.
This poem left a lasting impression on me, which will stay for years. Superb write, my friend.
Comment Written 07-Oct-2013
reply by the author on 07-Oct-2013
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Thanks Yeltel. The nurses told me that he was a professional gambler who made a great deal of money, most of which he donated back to the hospital.
Comment from tbacha58
I saw him, fifty years later
In a sunny corner of the ward,
studying the racing pages
from the comfort of his wheelchair.
What an interesting poem, and story, you have a very pleasant smile, and personality, I am sure all your patients were in love with you. I enjoyed so much reading this poem. It shows your kindness. Hugs Terry
reply by the author on 07-Oct-2013
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I saw him, fifty years later
In a sunny corner of the ward,
studying the racing pages
from the comfort of his wheelchair.
What an interesting poem, and story, you have a very pleasant smile, and personality, I am sure all your patients were in love with you. I enjoyed so much reading this poem. It shows your kindness. Hugs Terry
Comment Written 07-Oct-2013
reply by the author on 07-Oct-2013
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Thanks for your very kind remarks, Terry. The nurses told me that he was a professional gambler who made a great deal of money, most of which he donated back to the hospital.
Comment from daeneam
A very inspiring poem knowing he's a victim of war. I know some who became enemies of the state because they suffer so much during war like Timothy McVeign. I've seen Platoon and it saddened me because soldiers fight with each other. War is really evil.
reply by the author on 07-Oct-2013
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A very inspiring poem knowing he's a victim of war. I know some who became enemies of the state because they suffer so much during war like Timothy McVeign. I've seen Platoon and it saddened me because soldiers fight with each other. War is really evil.
Comment Written 07-Oct-2013
reply by the author on 07-Oct-2013
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Thanks Bulletski. The nurses told me that he was a professional gambler who made a great deal of money, most of which he donated back to the hospital.
Comment from mfowler
This is a good story Tony. It's good to see free verse so well composed in tight language structures. It's even better when they have a positive outcome (although limited) to the narrative. A good read.
reply by the author on 07-Oct-2013
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This is a good story Tony. It's good to see free verse so well composed in tight language structures. It's even better when they have a positive outcome (although limited) to the narrative. A good read.
Comment Written 06-Oct-2013
reply by the author on 07-Oct-2013
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Thanks Mark. The nurses told me that he was a professional gambler who made a great deal of money, most of which he donated back to the hospital.
Comment from l.raven
OMG Tony, It's bad that it happen, but he found away to consume his time.Even if it was picking winners at the track. So very well written. And a great picture for this one...
reply by the author on 07-Oct-2013
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OMG Tony, It's bad that it happen, but he found away to consume his time.Even if it was picking winners at the track. So very well written. And a great picture for this one...
Comment Written 06-Oct-2013
reply by the author on 07-Oct-2013
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Thanks L.Raven. The nurses told me that he was a professional gambler who made a great deal of money, most of which he donated back to the hospital.
Comment from paulah60
Interesting how the things that leave the most indelible imprint on our psyches are the most extreme: the most deeply distressing and the most uplifting. Your experience of this man seems to embody both, which is implicit in your poem, and explicit in your author notes (the juxtaposition of your words: 'a heavy man with a surprisingly light spirit.') Perhaps he haunts your memory because he epitomizes the bittersweetness of life, as well as the power of the human spirit in the face of a particularly dire condition. A lovely, clean, simple piece, Tony.
reply by the author on 07-Oct-2013
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Interesting how the things that leave the most indelible imprint on our psyches are the most extreme: the most deeply distressing and the most uplifting. Your experience of this man seems to embody both, which is implicit in your poem, and explicit in your author notes (the juxtaposition of your words: 'a heavy man with a surprisingly light spirit.') Perhaps he haunts your memory because he epitomizes the bittersweetness of life, as well as the power of the human spirit in the face of a particularly dire condition. A lovely, clean, simple piece, Tony.
Comment Written 06-Oct-2013
reply by the author on 07-Oct-2013
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Thanks for your sensitive and very perceptive comments, Dorothy. The nurses told me that he was a professional gambler who made a great deal of money, most of which he donated back to the hospital.
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Interesting, Tony. Is this paradox at work here? Gambling's an addiction that can destroy, but in this case, it seemed to save this man.
Cheers
Paula (not Dorothy? A Freudian slip perhaps, as in Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz? Dorothy the Dinosaur?);-)
Comment from krys123
Thank you Tony for sharing this well descriptive poem for fans, myself and other readers/writers. This poem was written masterfully about a person who went through dire situations during the war and turned out to be a lighthearted fellow sitting in a wheelchair playing the odds on horse races. In all due to friendly fire. The imagery you displayed Tony was done very well and gave images and visions in my mind through your words. You have a good one.
AK
reply by the author on 08-Oct-2013
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Thank you Tony for sharing this well descriptive poem for fans, myself and other readers/writers. This poem was written masterfully about a person who went through dire situations during the war and turned out to be a lighthearted fellow sitting in a wheelchair playing the odds on horse races. In all due to friendly fire. The imagery you displayed Tony was done very well and gave images and visions in my mind through your words. You have a good one.
AK
Comment Written 06-Oct-2013
reply by the author on 08-Oct-2013
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Thank you, AK, for your observations and kind words. This particular man spent most of his waking hours studying the form and had an encyclopaedic knowledge which enabled him to amass a small fortune, most of which he donated to the hospital for various projects.
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You're so welcome Tony and so gracious of him to give like he has.
Comment from goompa
Tony:
Strange isn't it home some unpleasantries fade from our minds quickly while others indeed haunt us for decades. As always, I enjoy your work and look forward to reading it.
reply by the author on 08-Oct-2013
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Tony:
Strange isn't it home some unpleasantries fade from our minds quickly while others indeed haunt us for decades. As always, I enjoy your work and look forward to reading it.
Comment Written 06-Oct-2013
reply by the author on 08-Oct-2013
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Thank you, Goompa, for your observations and kind words.
Comment from Black_Oxygen
This poetry tugs at the heart. This man's story is a
tragedy. I'm glad that he was taken care of for all
of these years. This poem held my interest from
start to finish. The attached photo is the perfect
enhancement. Thank You for your creation.
reply by the author on 08-Oct-2013
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This poetry tugs at the heart. This man's story is a
tragedy. I'm glad that he was taken care of for all
of these years. This poem held my interest from
start to finish. The attached photo is the perfect
enhancement. Thank You for your creation.
Comment Written 06-Oct-2013
reply by the author on 08-Oct-2013
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Thank you, Black_Oxygen, for your observations and kind words. This particular man spent most of his waking hours studying the form and had an encyclopaedic knowledge which enabled him to amass a small fortune, most of which he donated to the hospital for various projects.
