I am a Nearly Man, <br />At least that’s what you think <br />My bent back <br />Or withered leg, <br />My hanging hand <br />Is all you see. <br />My slurried speech <br />Is all you hear <br />Because you will not listen. <br />And even if I could speak <br />What would I say worth hearing, <br />You’ve already decided. <br /> <br />Inside I’m five foot ten <br />Straight backed Adonis, <br />Striding purposefully out, <br />Singing sweet songs and airs. <br />Poems of love and wit, <br />Words of wisdom flowing <br />Just inside my lips. <br />And stories told <br />Over and over inside my head. <br />This ability I have <br />Is just a disability to you. <br /> <br />But which of us is whole. <br />Which is the nearly man. <br />I who think but cannot say <br />Or you who will not think <br />And cannot see the man <br />Not even nearly. <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />Martin Swords <br />June 2001<br /><br />Martin Swords<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/the-nearly-man/
