UNSPOKEN
He struggles to regain control
Of a world he no longer knows.
He struts proudly forth to do battle today,
Even as his coordination goes.
He twists and turns as the pain dictates,
Yet still trying to walk a straight line.
And he sits and burns as they fix the plates
Which rain death to the cells in time.
And when the day is over,
He swaggers back to the house.
Ignoring the pain for my sake,
Trying to coddle his spouse.
I know he needs the comfort
Of a well-placed hand and word,
And I know he hurts all over,
But I'll pretend I never heard.
He may have a broken body,
And they might burn his hide,
But the thing I'll not let anyone do
Is take away his pride!
--Charlie Gould*
*"Works and plays well with others, and does not eat his young."