Joy, even in fear and pain
infected toe, with pus and stain
out a week to heal and drain
a glimpse of retirement
doing whatever the week will bring.
Happiness, despite one oozing digit
is easy when sleep-in days are in it
sitting, reading, playing games
keeping company with my canines
and lizards, jumping in the vines.
Even podiatrist, he could mend
my tolerance for sharps, he did extend
a kindly clerk, became my friend
her prayers brought panic to an end.
Joy, a moment it did seem
but while it lasted, a real-life dream
then poetry comes, and extends the stream
continuing my jubilee thru workweek’s regime.
– Sandra Johnson, June 26, 2022
This poem does a fantastic job of putting the reader in the speaker’s shoes. (Or maybe not in shoes so that the toe can heal!) The vivid word choice–“infected toe, with pus and stain” “oozing digit”–creates a sense of concreteness and immediacy, while the storytelling details carry it forward into an experience that had an impact. Great poem!
Thanks for your review- I initially wanted to write on a less gross topic, but thought I’d make a bad situation unusually good.
I think your use of rhyme helps make a subject that might be unsettling (an infected toe) more light-hearted. I think the sense of joy would be diminished without the rhyme. Thanks for sharing!
Having an infected tie was scary- this poem healed me inside and out.
i love this poem. Favourite lines “while it lasted, a real-life dream
then poetry comes, and extends the stream…”
Beautiful 🥰
Thanks. Poetry made the whole surreal toe infection not so horrible. I appreciate your response.
This is beautifully penned,It is the last verse for me most….Joy, a moment it did seem but while it lasted, a real-life dream. Deep!
Joy is fleeting isn’t it? But I’ll take it when and under whatever circumstances it comes. Thanks for the comment.