THirty-SEVENTH
Contest
First Place

Four wheels placed on each side,
Right and left
With rigidity and strength to wheel over a crack so broken
And to maneuver into the densest parts of the dirt
To keep your sister moving forward

Two brakes to accompany each wheel,
To decelerate when memories move by fast
To pause,
To enjoy life
To remind your sister
That we all go at different speeds

One cushion,
Centered right in the middle
Designed for comfort
Constructed for the challenges that might take hours
Built for the ones who are ready to wait
Arranged for a girl whose patience is longer
Than any wheelchair can last

Two handles,
With soft grip and durability
With reassurance of a helping hand
Of a support
That pushes you
When your hands are bruised
And your eyes have gone blurry
Handles that promise a forever bond

A sister,
Who’s legs crafted by angels
Moves and sways in its own motion
And who’s feet who need not graze the ground
To understand the value of life
Or to smile
With her diamond teeth displayed for everyone to see
And her personality plastered in every room you walk into
That is how you build a wheelchair for your sister