A Hand Up (Tweaked, thx Alan), Sonnet Options

[Mary Boren]

I hesitate to post another poem with two still on the board, but since things are kinda slow I hope it will be OK to start workshopping this one while those slide on down. On this day of Thanksgiving, I'm counting my blessings (including new friends here at MM), and near the top of the page is ...

A Hand Up

A cattle trailer stops, my scooter swerves ...
but not enough. Within a blink, my wrist
is shattered, zapping tendons, muscles, nerves
and vital ligaments. They're sorely missed.

A hundred years ago, there would have been
two choices: cut it off or let it dangle,
a shriveled, lifeless paw. Now, skillful men
and women have the know-how to untangle
a royal mess. Through microsurgery,
the bones are reconstructed. Months and days
of exercise, massage and therapy
work wonders, proving optimism pays.

They gave a hand. I'll raise it as a sign
of readiness to serve. It's God's, not mine.

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Original L4
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and ligaments. They would be sorely missed.

[Maggie]

Hi Mary,

I'm a fledgling in rhyme and rhythm, so I'll be brief. This poem touches me deeply and says a great deal, and I believe your theme is an insight many in similar situations have also thought but not expressed in such beautiful form. Speaking for myself only I certainly had the thought in 1991 that had I been born in an earlier time, such as the 17th century as I've always wished, I surely would be dead at my age.

Excellent insight which is finely expressed!!!

Peggy