Recovery

My life has been on hold since recently fighting a life threatening infection.  It started so small.  I thought it was a bite, or a pimple, but within hours it began to spread and grow.  I began to run a very high temp and my DH took me to the hospital.  Before they could figure out what to do my body had gone septic.  When a priest calls in another priest to make her last confession, you know she is in trouble. My beloved husband never left my side and prayers supported me from across the country.  Well, they brought in an amazing surgeon who cut deep into the by then huge cellulitis and found the pockets of infection that had been hiding from the CT scans.  I didn't lose any important body bits and after more than a week on very strong IV antibiotics I was able to go home.  This all started July 2nd and I still don't have my stamina back.  I am assured that it will come back, though.  Meanwhile I rest, pray, write, work part time, and ponder how quickly life can throw a curve ball.  Here is a poem I wrote for my surgeon Dr. Charles M. Jones, III.

Potter/Surgeon

He stands,

strong hands working

pushing wedging

as the raw earth surrenders

her will to his.

He sits

wheel’s soft nocturne

accompanies his fixed gaze

careful hands touch shape

build graceful curves

reaching from earth to heaven

and the Spirit smiles

He stands

strong hands probing

pushing finding

life taking infection and disease.

He sits

adagio for pump and knife

in a sterile field

careful hands touch shape

graceful curves

as sleeping women

dream of lover’s hands

and bodies restored

and the Spirit comforts.

There is love here

in the shaping of clay and flesh

in the songs of whirring wheel and pump

in the strong and tender hands

in the compassionate eyes

of a man who knows

the indwelling Spirit’s voice