Draft 007 / she can walk in the water

Friday morning we make the slow trek

to the swimming pool. Clumsily waiting

for the disabled access gate to open.

I know they’re wondering,

Are they here to swim?

Yes. On land,

my sister, she is weighed down

with wheelchairs and crutches, the clatter

of metal follows her every step. But

when I ask her what does she like

about being in the water, she says,

I can walk.