I think of a young Ernest Hemingway
radiant in his hospital bed
the lionhearted warrior
flirting with the nurses
there for the adventure–
more material for his writing life.
Nothing old and defeated in this picture
the eagle temporarily grounded
with merely an injured wing.
Greeted everywhere with warm eyes
and smiles, he’ll come back
stronger than ever and the cane
just makes him look more heroic.