I worked in a house with handicapped individuals.
It wasn't so much that they were wheelchair bound
but labeled; retarded.
I listened to them sing to me when I would make
their breakfast for the day.
and they spoke to me like I was their friend.
labeled; retarded
One of the ladies was in her late 40's; with hair
that never wanted to stay down, she would make
Alfalfa laugh.
labeled; retarded
She would sit in her chair and pet her precious kitten
Daisy-Mae she called her.
While off in the kitchen a fight broke out, call it a "cat fight"
labeled; retarded
One to their bedroom while the others painted tulips
so I could hang them on the refrigerator.
We would sit down and write together.
labeled; retarded
Then when all the chores were done and breakfast was
finally finished they got into the van and I took them
to school.
labeled; retarded
They would all wave and tell me how much they love me,
I returned the gesture and smiled while driving off back to
their home.
And those ladies who are as average as you and I, are labeled retarded.
