What gift has these residuals brought
to me except pain, frustration,
what might have-beens?

Yet, wait, I remind myself

 

A friend says she has had to give her thoughts
of looking at her epilepsy as a given gift
A learning time
A time to realize
things that really matter.

 

Brain injury? When does it get easier?
Newbies ask those of us
whose outward scars have faded?
We smile ironically.
“Easier” seldom in our vocabulary

 

“I know what you mean, I forget things too.”
People always say that
I have to bite my tongue
Damn, it’s not the same
Rarely do they search for a word that won’t come

 

I don’t remember turning fifty
Of course I don’t remember much
of 1989 or even 1990
or sometimes even what I did yesterday
Brain injury is like that

 

"Since the accident I've published in poetry, memoir and short stories and have won eight awards from the Arizona State Poetry Society including a First Place. Also was first place honorable mention in the Tucson Poetry Festival and have given many readings of my work in the Tucson area. Am currently finishing up a memoir "Behind Blue Doors; an American Woman in Algeria"