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.