Vertigo and Bed Begs

On the necessary four long couches, my family read. It took a year before I could try and lift a book. I'd slap it open to a page. And then, something I still do, to remedy the confusing crossing of words, I touch my right forefinger knuckle on top of my nose and lift my right fist to cover the middle half of my right eye. I'd pretend to understand the letters, until I really could. I'd look up at a brother or sister, return to pose, and look back down.

Family members pointed at a map, I re learned where Chicago was, why politics exist, how not to get electrocuted and how not to set myself on fire.

An uphill battle it was. Throughout, I remained ambitious, energetic and irresponsible.