NJ Pride Parade Poem

An acrostic poem in honor of
the first NJ Disability Pride Parade
and Celebration


Newly blooming offshoot of
Efforts first planted in Chicago then on the
West coast.

Joyous proclaiming that we demand right to
Embrace our bodies. However they’re designed.
Regardless of
Someone
Else’s opinion as to our being’s correctness. We
Yearn to turn this

Deepest wish
Into
Something we experience
As daily reality,
But we know there
Is much to accomplish before
Living that dream
Is possible. We must struggle
Together, remembering the pitfalls of
Yesterday’s lost battle as we

Prepare to
Reengage in endless, small wars to achieve the
In and inter
Dependence we so desire. Believing
Each moment in the power

& strength of our

Collective, self-determined, wisdom above all
Else. Directing whatever resources can be spared to
Liberate both ourselves and
Everyone else from
Bondage we never chose. We
Realize this fight will be long
And may last generations, but for
Today, let us say/sign/whatever
Into the heavens that we are here as
One community and we are
Never turning back.

Rage...

(assignment 17: a science poem)

I am angry at scientists.
Angry that the dared have gall
to manipulate my small girl muscles
into shapes they never meant to hold.
Stole my weight baring knees
without backwards thought;

robbed girl child of only independent mobility
she processed for 24 months
until the Shriners- urged by school based assistant-
returned a degree of what was lost
in the form of power wheelchair.

Even today,
falling on what used to be my kneecap
and is now scarred over nerve endings-
just waiting for agonizing, accidental exposure
to anything resembling pressure-
means a few hours, days, or weeks in bed
with ice/heat, narcotics, and evermore both
annoyed and annoying assistants for company.

Because someone, somewhere
who had only known me for hours (if that)
decided the way my childhood body moved
was inadequate for adulthood.