a whispering woman's tale

There is an old woman who knows me
and she is feather light with age
and her voice is soft and she whispers
and she speaks my name and tells me stories
and they grip me like wind a kite

“I was in hospital Will
I was so swollen, Will
I couldn’t even see my knuckles.
They had a machine Will
they had to put a shunt in my neck,
but it wouldn’t go in. 
It was awful,
I had to be awake,
and I heard them say,
‘we can’t get in’,
‘we’ll have to try again tomorrow.’
But oh, Will! I couldn’t to it again.
It was too much for me.
So I cried out loud.
(Which must only have been a whisper)
Lord Jesus!
Help me!
I can’t do it anymore!

She smiles.
“Will, they must have thought I was crazy,
the nurses and doctor,
but then a minute later I heard them say,
‘We’re in!'
And I shouted (which must only have been only a loud whisper)
HALELUJAH!

God did it Will!
And now I can walk again Will.
And look at my arms,
the swelling is gone, Will.
Jesus did it.”

And her words
and her smile
though thin, and airy, and feather light
speak like the wind
and I know again
there is nothing Jesus can’t do.

-W