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Deficit

disabilityno-news
outstretched hand laced in flowers and vines

By Della Johnston 

 

 

I am the affordances so graciously granted

by the merciful who don’t see beyond

Self-Righteous pity

Not a deficit. Not a person.

Some thing else

Saved by you, who liked my flowery words

my narrative arc, designed to please

You read my life. You deliver me. You claim me.

generously portrayed,

Image maintained

how sweet of you

 

 

A charity case with 

Thick glass panes

Displayed 

then tucked away 

(don’t look too long)

What charity am I if not 

the exception?

 

 

Words watered down.

Not angry. Not allowed.

Don’t hate the system that so generously provided

Don’t bite the hand

that feeds you 

Scraps

from gilded towers

 

 

 

 

 

 

I persevered despite you

I persevered to spite you

 

 

rewarded for moulding myself

to fit 

your so-called worthiness

rewarded 

to placate my advocacy

Did you hope I would forget?

 

 

All you left behind,

Just like me.

Just as worthy. Not as

Lucky

 

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