Day 196

The boy is trying to brush his teeth
but his right arm is gone.  He sets the toothbrush down
with his left hand, puts the tube of toothpaste
in his mouth, squeezes it onto the brush
by clenching his teeth.  Only months ago
he was throwing a ball on a street
in front of his house.  Only months ago
his mother, father, sisters were waiting for him
to come into the house for dinner.  His friends
ran through the street, chasing the ball,
catching it.  Now I will have to do it like this
forever, he thinks.  His left hand 
holds the toothbrush, moves it steadily
across his teeth.