Disconnected

‘You need to pull yourself together,’
we told him.

‘I agree,’ he said,
‘but you don’t understand what it’s like.

I’m never quite knowing
whether I’m coming or going
and I’ve been up against the wall
all my life.

I would walk tall
if that was possible
but my limbs have minds
of their own.

My legs slope off anywhere they choose
and my hands are far from harmless.
They don’t keep themselves to themselves
(sorry about that madam!)
and soon give me a thump
if I complain.

My torso
is nowhere to be seen;
it’s a lost cause,
a missed opportunity,
a phantom pain.

But you’re so
right -
I must pull myself together.

Maybe today. Tomorrow.
Tonight.’