Doctor
The young patient lies
listless on the examining table
tremor upon voluntary movement
is noted
the beginnings of atrophy
creeping up the legs
into hip extensors
Pes cavus severe, both feet
marked tendon shortening in fingers
nystagmus
the exam complete
the report will be sent in three weeks.
The young girl lies,
her eyes full of fear
so full she shakes
in the taught, tiny ropes
of tendons
in the small body being
taken away
her feet so deformed she
wears slippers
Nikes out of the question.
I long to pick up her bones
bathe them in milk
hold her and tell her
she will be okay
like my own daughter
when she scrapes her knee.
Her mother places her in
the wheelchair, the same fear in her eyes.