They Ask Permission

They Ask Permission

Six of them

Joined as a team

United by their orange shirts

They encircle the kayaker

Standing at the ready

“Let us know how we may help.”
“I don’t know.”

“I am right behind you

You are safe.”

“Wow, that was easy.”

She rejoices after landing gently

Upon the kayak seat.

The orange shirt people stand by

And smile

Surrounding her with

What looks and feels like love

And support.

“May I reach in and adjust the foot pegs for you?”

Nobody is rushing.

One man holds down the bow

Patiently

He squats on knees that have traveled

A good few decades

Patiently

His dimples emerge as he smiles in response

To her sincere

“Thank you!”

Pontoons in place

They add other adaptive equipment

Adjusting

Inflating, deflating

Adding, removing

Patiently

Squatting man stands

Hands of power remain, though, at work

Adding ballast to the bow.

The kayak is wheeled into the lake

Broad smile illuminating the world, she rejoices,

“Oh, it’s so nice to be in the water!”

Her team reflects back her beaming countenance.

“I used to be a lifeguard.”  She shares.

But now her legs

Do not support her

But love does

Patient, kind, respectful love.

They ask permission

They surround her with love

They make the impossible, possible.

This is the world I choose to see

These are the people I admire.