Nicole
by Krikor N. Der Hohannesian
Teacher of us all, we
who have the gifts
not granted you. Palsied,
you have the hugging power
of a sumo wrestler. Ill-sighted,
you find love in every corner. A brain
not whole knows every children’s
song and story ever composed
never mind all the bus schedules
in town. From fifty yards away,
you know if I’ve sneaked
another cigarette. They who
see only your deprivations
inherit eyes of stone, hearts of steel.
Copyright © 2019 by Krikor N. Der Hohannesian.