A Man by Nina Cassian
While fighting for his country, he lost an arm and was suddenly afraid;
From now on, I shall only be able to do things by halves.
I shall reap half a harvest.
I shall be able to play either the tune or the accompaniment on the piano,
but never both parts together.
I shall be able to bang with only one fist on doors, and worst of all
I shall only be able to half hold my love… close to me.
There will be things I cannot do at all, applaud for example,
at shows where everyone applauds:
From that moment on, he set himself to do everything with twice as much enthusiasm.
And where the arm had been torn away, a wing grew.
I shall reap half a harvest.
I shall be able to play either the tune or the accompaniment on the piano,
but never both parts together.
I shall be able to bang with only one fist on doors, and worst of all
I shall only be able to half hold my love… close to me.
There will be things I cannot do at all, applaud for example,
at shows where everyone applauds:
From that moment on, he set himself to do everything with twice as much enthusiasm.
And where the arm had been torn away, a wing grew.
