David Moreau
The staff from Practical Life Skills keeps
a pretty tight lid on Thursday’s music group
in the big cafeteria. No one’s allowed past the tape
three feet in front of the sound system.
The guys from our room don’t get to use
the microphone and because of fire regulations
they insist we have to have a staff person
for every participant who’s in a wheelchair.
Freddie always sings YMCA and Tony
Who Let the Dogs Out? Then Gracie belts
Save a Horse Ride a Cowboy, in that order.
No one comes close to getting
the words right – but it’s okay.
Jean-Paul parks his wheelchair in the middle
of the dance floor. Donnie bounces
like a pin ball and Sally Coulombe shouts
every song loudly and joyfully off-key.
Despite me shaking my head,
most everyone has a good time
and when Deedee Belanger closes her eyes
and sings Over the Rainbow
you really can imagine Dorothy
clicking the heels of her ruby slippers
and going home to Aunt Em.
Last week I stepped over the tape
and asked for Whole Lotta Love -
just to rile things up.
Jorie snipped, The music’s
for the participants. Not the staff.
So I gather Leo and Donnie in a huff
and push Jean-Paul out into the corridor
while Sister Sledge pounds away the last song
- We Are Family.
