Ancient Time

Hard headed, jerk jawed,
Tough toed, fierce fisted:
The slimy smile that went astray
And crashed the wood of tall timber
When night and day broke apart.
None wept at noon of day
To see the thing fly away.
Hands were bloody, feet were gone
And hell is hard. Of course we know
That we all know and none do know
How cold is iron in thrust and force
To shake the slime of ancient time.

David Pfeiffer, 1989

Invalid

Take your hands
Off my chair.
I have survived
Thus far
Without your
Unrequested help
And will continue
To do so.
You will not
Invalidate me by
Acting as if
You know best.
I will survive.

David Pfeiffer, 1989

Written After the Last Meeting of the Massachusetts Advisory Council on Disability

This is the way the Council ends,
This is the way the Council ends,
This is the way the Council ends,
Not with a Bang,
But with a motion to adjourn.

David Pfeiffer, 1993