KNEE BRACE PRESS

A place for stories about chronic illness, disability, mental health, and neurodivergence.

On Deck

By

We’re on deck, Bob said,
when I told him about my mother—
how slow the step, how soft
the voice that once commanded
thirty fourth graders on the playground.
It was kind of him to ask.
 
I didn’t know his folks, but I went with him
to mass when each one passed. Me,
I’m no longer frightened to look
into the eyes of an age-ravaged face. If I’m lucky,
it will be me who nurses Janet,
And not her, me. Batter Up!

Contributor

  • A white man with shoulder-length white hair and a white beard.

    After flunking out of art school, Alan Abrams spent many years working in motorcycle shops, and traversing the country, solo, on two wheels. Always a tinkerer with words, his stories and poems have been published in literary journals and anthologies in the US, UK, and Ireland. His poem “Aleinu” published by Bourgeon, was nominated for the Pushcart Prize. He has recently completed his first novel.