This week’s poem comes from Mark Eati, who has shared other wonderful poems with us in the past.
DISTURBANCE
Brave soul, holding
flickering lamp
Creating warmth
for the insects
and people
buzzing around
Heard multiple
warships
as Max stepped out
Inspiration: My sibling, Max, was so happy yesterday, until they realized that medical and county meetings start the day after. Max has been a strong inspiration for many, as they fought many odds with their health and the challenges of navigating complex systems not designed for people with disabilities and chronic illnesses. In a country where person-centered choices and presuming competence are increasingly taught and prioritized, people like Max and I still struggle daily with traumas and phobias inflicted by the system. I persevered my entire life trying to support their needs and my own. We will never stop looking for answers.