Coming Back to Life
In a busy café,
a couple – hard not to notice
the incision showing through her
clinically shorn hair.
Her husband is her guide
as they clear their table.
“Garbage in there.” In go paper napkins,
delicately, like presents under a Christmas tree.
“Recyclables here. Which ones are those?”
She points to a plastic cup and a Coke can.
Her husband nods in appreciation
of her returning awareness.
“Dishes go in this bin.” She picks up a spoon
and looks to him for reassurance.
Then a coffee mug, and her husband chimes in,
“Don’t forget the fork.”
Suddenly peals of laughter erupt
straight from her gut, and he asks,
“What’s so funny?” She gasps,
“YOU SAID ‘FORK’!!!”
The whole place cracks up, joining her
in her first joke since brain surgery.
And, as tears stream down his cheeks,
he starts chortling too.
© 2012 Amy Barlow Liberatore/Sharp Little Pencil
Written for Sunday Scribblings; the prompt was “Wit.” Also posted at my nearest and dearest, Poets United.
Sharp Little Pencil 
Altonian
What a warm and endearing poem. It is wonderful how wit, and humour can be found in situations not normally associated with it. I also like how you allowed the husband to be patient, caring, and understanding (dig, dig).
Sharp Little Pencil
I truly meant him to come off that way, as he is the caretaker in an extremely delicate situation. It’s hard to see one’s spouse in less-than-ideal mental capacity. Just ask Lex, who has been my rock during different mental stages… Peace, Amy
viv blake
I’m praying that this is not autobiographical. But it is a strong poem, witty as required by the prompt 🙂
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks, Viv. No, never had brain surgery myself, not yet, thank God. This is based on a local cafe; although some of the details are artfully contrived, most of it is true. And the moment she made the joke, it was hard not to laugh and perhaps applaud! Amy
Old Egg
I have spent many hours in hospitals and their cafes. Do we ever need little instances such as this to brighten our day. A beautiful and poignant post Amy.
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks, Robin, and thank you to that wonderful, dear, brave couple. Devotion in every hue. Peace, Amy
booguloo
Thanks for the smile.
Sharp Little Pencil
Right back at you, Michael! Amy
brian miller
aww…that is def a beautiful moment…and i think i might shed a tear in the face of that miracle. as well…
hey i fixed the link
Sharp Little Pencil
WHICH LINK? I’m confused after a week of depression… I’ll email you!
Thanks for this. I practically burst out in tears AND applause… Amy
Josie Two Shoes
Great writing! Humor is an essential element of personality, it’s also essential to healing. You told the tale well!
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks for coming by, Josie! Yes, finding her sense of humor was indeed a glimmer of miracles to come! PEace, Amy
Kim Nelson
FABULOUS!
Sharp Little Pencil
Bless you, Kim. It was true, almost all of it… Amy
Richard Cody
Beautiful.
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks, Richard. Peace, Amy
seingraham
The poignancy of this makes my heart ache and still, there is laughter … nicely done. As always.
Sharp Little Pencil
Tricky balance, that. Quite like the balance of both partners in this scenario… peace, Amy
Debbie
This is precious , Amy. Thank you!
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks so much, Debbie! Amy
Jae Rose
Maybe coming back to life must always include the ability to laugh..life is essentially quite funny..sometimes in a harsh and brutal way..good to read one of your pieces again..Jae
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks so much for that, Jae. And yes, I believe humor is essential – every bit as essential as the ability to cry a “full moon cry.” It’s all about coming from the gut as well as the cranium. Peace, Amy
MiskMask
This is just so tender and endearing. Made me smile when I read it. There’s always hope where you least expect it.
Sharp Little Pencil
So true, Misk. And the unexpected blessings make life worth living. Peace, Amy
oncealibrarian
I am so impressed with your poetry. It creates such clear images in such brief expressions and, in this case, evokes such an emotional picture.
Sharp Little Pencil
Thank you so much for your kind words. I’m a storyteller at heart, as well as an eavesdropper on the lives of others! Amy
keiths ramblings
Had me chuckling too! Love it.
Sharp Little Pencil
Glad you were able to have a laugh with our recovering lady. Peace, Amy
Pearl Ketover Prilik
Oh Amy… This is such a powerful human poem – drenched in love and hope and laughter – Wonderful – The kind of human tragic/comedy that you’ve managed to capture and have me smile and have my eyes fill at the same time 🙂
Sharp Little Pencil
Pearl Girl, your comment shows me I hit the intended nail on the head. Thanks so much, and glad to see you! Love, Amer
Sherry Blue Sky
Oh I so love this one, Amy. Wow. Humans are so awesome!
Sharp Little Pencil
The resilience this woman had took my breath away. As did the devotion of her partner. Thanks Sherry, A.
thetwistingkaleidoscope
Beautiful!
dreamingthruthetwilight
How precious is laughter , specially in times of an emotional crisis. It’s like no other medicine..wholesome and no adverse side effects. But I didn’t get the joke Amy.