Incidental Contact
through the dull hospital window
he saw them: a young father and his young son,
out on the parking lot; walking
at first, and then, an unexpected event!
the father began skipping, his feet
lightly dancing; his face breaking into laughter!
and the boy, no more than three or
four years old; he began skipping too and giggling!
the both of them bobbling merrily,
exquisitely and with great courage; surrounded
as they were on almost all sides by
the indifferent walls and stark efficiency of the sterile fortress.
from his wheelchair he watched them go;
a sudden happiness breaking out everywhere across his soul
and despite the fact no hospital employee
noticed this miraculous event, he turned easily away
from the dull window; savoring
the healing force of unfettered joy, flowing over his old heart,
like a mighty ocean.
– Jerry Dan Deutschendorf