Wheelchair Chariot: A Journey of Resilience and Joy
Updated: 1 day ago
A Glimpse of Everyday Life
A woman.
No one I would ever know.
An ordinary woman.
An unseen woman,
rolling down crooked, clackety sidewalks
near City Hall.
A woman bound to her chair.
Rolling.
In her wheelchair, rolling.
I spot her on my way to work.
My sluggish morning crawl.
Clutching coffee with one hand.
Choking my cellphone with the other.
Dragging my barely woken bones.
I hate my City Hall job—blunt and raw from the grind.
It’s “Mother please” and “Father may I”
all day long: that horrible job.
Blunt and raw.
I will be late again.
Her metal chair sweeps swiftly past me.
Wheels rushing, motor quietly roaring.
The rrrr, the mmmm of electric contraptions.
The wheelchair spinning fast,
faster than my wide, flat feet could ever move.
The Unexpected Encounter
On any other day, on any other morning,
I would not have noticed her.
I hardly ever look. I rarely ever care.
Except—
I spot a shabby boy riding on the front of her chair,
and off the back, another child,
with the same face, the same scruffy smile.
Her twin sons, I suppose.
I envy the racket the boys make.
Laughing—giggling—shouting.
Their ruckus rising in triadic rhythm.
Rolling, rolling.
Rolling with mother in a chair.
A Transformation of Perspective
From anonymous to luminous,
A crippled mother, her wild sons.
Her body, her chair, the stigma.
Rolling, rolling—
the wheelchair chariot.
In that moment, I realize something profound.
This woman, often overlooked,
is a source of joy and laughter.
Her sons, carefree and full of life,
remind me of the beauty in simple moments.
The Power of Connection
This encounter is a reminder of our shared humanity.
We often rush through our days,
lost in our own struggles.
Yet, here is a woman who embodies resilience.
She navigates the world with grace,
her sons bringing light to her journey.
It's easy to forget that everyone has a story.
In her wheelchair, she is not just a figure.
She is a mother, a source of love,
and a beacon of strength.
Embracing Life's Challenges
Life can be challenging,
but it is also filled with moments of joy.
This woman and her children teach us
to embrace our circumstances.
To find happiness, even in adversity.
As I continue my walk,
I carry her image with me.
A reminder to slow down,
to appreciate the world around me.
Conclusion: A Lesson in Perspective
The wheelchair chariot is more than a mode of transport.
It symbolizes resilience, love, and connection.
We should all strive to see the beauty in the lives of others,
to recognize the strength in their stories.
Let us celebrate the ordinary moments,
the laughter of children,
and the strength of those who inspire us.
In doing so, we enrich our own lives.
Ernesto Beckford
September 23, 2025
© Ernesto Beckford 2025
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La Silla
Una madre.
Una madre cualquiera.
Una madre cualquiera en una silla de ruedas.
Una madre cualquiera, en una silla de ruedas, pasando las veredas de la ciudad de Philadelphia.
La veo rumbo a mi oficina.
Camino lento. Llegaré tarde.
No me gusta el trabajo.
La silla de ruedas va rápido. Rápido ruedan las ruedas.
Y no sería tanto ver esa silla carroza si no fuera …
que ….
colgándose al frente y la espalda del aparato van los hijos mellizos de la señora cualquiera
—riendo—gozando—disfrutando
Un momento, no cualquiera —con mamá…
y su silla de ruedas.
Ernesto Beckford
Septiembre 23, 2025
© Ernesto Beckford 2025
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Such a heartfelt poem/ makes me think of how much I don’t see every day…!🥰
Wonderful!