Her Courage
When her strength couldn’t extend to her fingers
As she played the piano
Power wouldn’t reach her legs
As climbed stairs
She just turned 19 majoring in music
With a high hope to be a fine pianist
Forced to seek medical help
As her weakness progressed
Sadly an incurable malady
Of muscles befell her
Weakness was the beginning
Unrelenting pain followed
Then gone was her independence
Wheelchair bound
She couldn’t even scratch her itch
Nor budge a bit to ease her sore back
Useless limbs shackled her freedom
Merciless disease advanced
Her survival depended on other people
Ruthless pain and losing autonomy
Stirred up thoughts of ending her life
Alas she was unable to execute her plan
Imprisoned by her ill fate with no exit
She searched a way to live a life
Transcending her suffering
Corralling strength lost in her muscles
To grow undaunted courage
She defied her adversity and
Turned her torment into blessing of others
Become an advocate for the disabled
She fought for their right and succeeded
In enacting a law in her country
Granting the right for the incapacitated
To make their own decision in forgoing treatment
Which one day she will use
And until then she’ll live life well
By Shih-Fang Wang
From: United States