Local Poet Sandra Garland, who was involved in a horrific accident about three years ago, has penned an awe-inspiring piece of poetry from that ordeal. The literary piece, entitled ‘The Doll That Was Broken’, not only outlines the anticipation of that day and the unfolding events of the day, but also her amazing journey of recovery. The following is the masterpiece.
THE DOLL THAT WAS BROKEN
‘Twas a beautiful Saturday with a clear blue dome,
September fifteen two thousand eighteen;
The doll in good spirits was driving home
After work at the office at three fifteen.
The doll was happy.
‘Twas her grandson’s sixteenth birthday
And the fun would start in the afternoon;
The doll had a gift to give away
And the time could not come too soon.
The doll was very happy.
‘Twas on that infamous Venetian curve
The doll was hit by a law breaking lad
The motor clash shattered both muscle and nerve
With spinal cord injury the doll thought she was dead.
The doll was broken.
‘Twas Friends who gathered around the clash-up
When the doll opened her eyes but her legs were not there
And friends called her children with news of the smash-up,
But the doll was strapped in the car in prayer.
The doll was truly broken
‘Twas Elery James on his way to town
Who entered the car and soothed the doll,
Soon afterward the ambulance was on the scene
And the doll could only pray and wonder and mull.
The doll was hopeful but broken.
“Twas off to Jamaica that very night
While the doll slept the hours away
With her anxious daughter on the flight
The doll tried her fears to allay.
The doll was still hopeful but broken.
‘Twas months of intentional strenuous gym
At Jackson rehab the dangling legs became firmer
The doll is now strengthening each muscle and limb
And daily recouping, renewing, getting stronger.
The doll is healing.
The doll is thankful to each offspring and sibling,
The doctors and nurses and each dear friend
Who poured out their loving concern unstinting;
All these sentiments helped the doll to mend;
The doll is eternally grateful.
Sandra E. Garland
September 15, 2021