David Allen writes

TRAUMA DRAMA

The neurologist read slowly from a list:

Disoriented

Unclear thoughts

Inaccurate perception

Poor judgment 

Confabulation

Inattention 

Poor memory

Impaired communication

Sleep disturbance

Inability to follow directions 

Hyperactivity

Hypoactivity 

Mood fluctuations

Anger

Agitation

“That's my son, all right,”

I said to myself.

Bad friends with bad drugs

led to a brain seizure.

A vein split open spurting 

blood into his skull.

Bruised sections died,

inducing a fortnight coma;

partial paralysis followed.

He awoke slowly, 

it took months to regain

feeling and use of his left side.

But he was improving.

"So, is that all?" I asked the doc.

"Another couple of months

For the brain to heal?"

The doc shook his head,

Smiling slightly.

"I wish I could say yes," he said. 

"But you have to think

In terms of years.

The brain heals slowly.

It's not like breaking a bone

or pulling a muscle.

There's no healing what's dead.

The brain has to find routes 

around what's damaged 

and find  new connections."

I left the room

with inner tears.

The trauma drama

 will last for years.