He laid in his hospital bed
set up next to his wife’s bed –
his hands contracted
and useless,
his body dependent
on the help of others –
just to move at all,
or eat, or even
brush his teeth.
This bed has been his dwelling place
for over five years,
his disease shrinking and stiffening his body,
rendering his muscles
unworkable –
keeping him confined,
and stuck.
He is one of my favorite patients.
His eyes always sparkle,
his mind is unfailingly engaged,
his words ever generous.
“I am a lucky guy.”
This is the song he sings
no matter what pain may be present
or loss on the forefront.
“I have no complaints.”
Before him,
on his bookcase,
are about 50 journal books
he has filled
with reflections and illustrations
of his weekly walks in the woods
as he observed and gloried
in the wonders of nature.
“Nature used to be my religion.
And then I found God.”
This was life pre-diagnosis.
When I look at him,
a prisoner in his bed and so small,
I am grateful
he had a former life
of movement and joy
in Nature and beyond this room.
“I am a lucky guy,”
he states again and again,
and I marvel at
how he glows.
He has an understanding
that I hope is within reach for me.
He knows
that everyone has “something”
and this is his.
“The way I figure it,” he states,
“God put me here for a reason.
And when anyone comes to see me,
I hope I can be a light for them.
I hope I can make them happy.”
He radiates
effortlessly and profoundly
and I cannot help
but be changed.
He shows me the way
to what is real.
I begin to understand
the gift of joy
in all circumstances
and the suffering that comes
with resisting
what lies before us.
As I say goodbye,
He says,
“I hope I will see you again.”
I smile.
Oh, you will.
You will.
Copyright© Cynthia Cady Stanton, 2018
Becoming and Beholding 
Wow! I could feel his life. Very touching!
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Absolutely moving….. I love my work!
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Profound and beautiful! Thank you, Cynthia, you’re very insightful… I love it when people see in him what I see..
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Thank you
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Oh, I do. He is a remarkable man. 🙂
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Although. It’s wonderful to hear this, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the edits I would make. I would replace the word “lucky” with the term “blessed”, because luck has nothing to do with it. I misspoke. All good things are gifts from God. David Wilmot
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Yes. Rings more true to you…..
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Davids profound gift is one only a handful know, but all recognize. he is as he says, a blessed man, and I blessed to know him.
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This poem was written about my big brother Dave. He exudes love, hope and courage and it is certainly contagious to everyone who crosses his path. I am lucky enough not to just have crossed his path, but to be born as his sister. A gift that I will never take for granted. This poem allows one to enter his world, which is only possible through a great poet. Beth Wilmot Keddy
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Beth, I am humbled by your comment and touched. Thank you. David is a joy to be with. In many ways, he shows all of us the path of presence and joy in all circumstances. Every time I visit him, I leave with a full heart. 🙂
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