There Are So Many Things I Can Still Do

THERE ARE SO MANY THINGS I CAN STILL DO There are so many things I can still do I can walk and I can talk I can read and I can write I can go up the stairs by myself I can go to the bathroom by myself I can open a tin can I can open a bottle of soda I can put on my own socks and shoes I can dress myself I can take a shower by myself I can turn on the radio and television I can get whatever channel I want I can go to the corner store I can even still get on and off a bus I can know where I am going I can pray I can arrange an order for my day I can speak on the telephone I can remember where my address book is I can go to the movies I can enjoy eating I can swallow I can breathe without a respirator I can meet with friends I can tell a story There are so many things I still can do Which might one day be lost As they have been lost for others The older one gets the more one loses The more one appreciates every ordinary ability one has I can still think clearly I can still write sentences I have seen such frightening losses I have witnessed those with full powers lose all powers I have seen the most independent people in the world Reduced to total helplessness I can still think about others with sympathy I can still miss and grieve for family and friends who are gone I can still be troubled and pained by the sorrow of others I can still pray for others I can still watch out for myself I can still For as long as I can Until I will not