He lost them by accident.
One false move,
one unguarded moment
and he burned.
They cut off what was
left and right and
fitted him with steel
actuated by cables,
attached to his shoulders
by leather straps.
I found him smiling,
greeting children
and ringing the bell
in a parade, having his
picture taken and
never once did I see
anything but a smile
upon his face.
Never once have I seen
such courage, no never
once but many times,
as many times as there
are hooks and scars and
amputations where life
once took itself for granted.
Now life wins once again,
no not once,
but many times.
♦