Contradiction in Terms

Being disabled means
Connection
To community.
It is part of my identity.
It is part of what makes me
Me.
Being disabled means
Reaching out to tell others
That we are not alone.
It means listening to each other,
Being disabled means
Having to fight,
It means being an advocate.
It means not backing down.
It means being strong
When being disabled
Also means
Inherently
Being more vulnerable.
We must be both.
We have no choice.
Be connected.
Be you.
Reach out.
Listen.
Fight.
Advocate.
Do not back down.
Be strong
While you are also vulnerable.
A contradiction in terms,
And also a truth...
Also my truth,
And how I live
As a disabled woman.

Shifting Gears

Wheels are turning

Both in my head and 

On the ground

Because that is how I move -

 I am not wheelchair bound.

Back to a Love

It has been so long
Since I have cared -
Since I have dared -
To let my fingers
Do the speaking.
It is so easy
To let time pass
And think, alas,
This love is gone.
So, honey,
Let's move those
Poems somewhere else
Somewhere that's lacking
All the whistles and bells.
But moving the love
Doesn't make it unlovely.
Relocation doesn't
Remotely remove me
From my devotion to letters
To words and to poetry.
I need it like I need
So many great things.
So, let's start again
Let's see what this night brings.