Poem written about a couple with different 'takes' and how they go about compromising.
Problem: a blind child
Hubby: Focuses on restoration of sight
Wife: Focuses on child's acceptance and going on with life
Solution: Do research, know who's doing what and leave our name, phone number but treat our child as we otherwise would--with modifications as needed.
Words: Patience, understanding, listen, love
**********************

Clumping down steps to the beat of his cane,
the little blind boy moped but didn't complain.
Pa wants him to see as well as before;
Ma's UNDERSTANDING is he won't ... e'ermore.
Ma and child accept grim reality
but Pa sees such finality.

We've the PATIENCE of Job ... life must go on;
to pretend he'll see again is a 'con'.
Have to learn things anew; that's what we'll do.
Others suggest but it's US going through
something we dreamed we would never have to.
We need strength to buckle up, not be blue.

LISTEN to your heart ... make your peace within.
Not ev'rything returns to points they've been.
The future is a void--always changing--
sightlessness, sad, requires rearranging.
One is but as handicapped as they feel
but no disability has appeal.

LOVE holds, binds, us together ... forever.
Be who, who, you want to be ... be clever!
Determination, confidence will lead
though you'll require Braille to learn and to read.
Pa's still crying inside tears he keeps, hides.
You're blind, I'm deaf soon sympathy goes, slides.

You're then but a child; I'm wife ... still, Pa's embroiled.
With disease suffered ... our perfection's spoiled.

**At Fireside Poetry, won Sanileths Challenge November 13th, 2004