22. Disability

Restrictive infirmity,
all systems damaged
by early poor nurture
and health.
The King used the time
creatively,
knowing it was
not physical prowess
that made the man.
Practised in patience
from infancy,
they sat.



Having been sickly since childhood, it was a certainty that health would decline in middle age. It was, ironically, ill health that became the script for years to come and would sustain determination, working well past the age that they were fit. Confined from without, due to mobility problems and the Pandemic and from within due to systemic frailty, they saw the world afresh. No self pity, no remorse nor regret. The regular hormonal injections seemed to add a boost. The view outside was a sparse one, as they saw some shuffling along, while others were exuberant despite their physical restrictions. They would try and be the best they could, though mainly in a sedentary fashion.