“The love of toes after a injury”

Ode to My Toes (After They Healed)

How I took for granted those small soldier rows—  
Ten humble digits at the foot of my days.  
Through bramble and gravel and splinters they’d go,  
Unfurling my balance in delicate ways.

But then came the crack—a hallway at night,  
A table’s rude corner, a clumsy misstep—  
Oh, agony sharp as a flickering light,  
And suddenly, toes were all that I wept.

No skipping, no dancing, no shoes that quite fit,  
Just throbbing red pulses from morning till rest;  
I saw for the first time how much I’d omit,  
The care and the praise they so rightly possessed.

So as swelling faded and walking returned,  
And laughter once more accompanied strides,  
I marveled at how, by this lesson, I learned  
To honor the little things carrying pride.

Dear toes, may I cherish your wiggle and stretch,  
Adoring your sturdiness, stubbiness, grace.  
You teach me to thank each part I possess—  
For even small blessings deserve an embrace.

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