Though we had never met before, we were comfortable

with theatre talk;

playwrights, directors, actors, subscriptions.

They were a handsome couple in their 50’s? 60’s?

Unselfconscious about their appearances

yet well put together,

even-tempered,

humorous, endearing.

They sat to my left:

The first thing I noticed about Maureen

was her lilting voice and red hair.  She said

she did commercials and some acting.

Don jiggled his legs as he spoke;

he too, articulate, with a good, strong, voice

We sat in the dark and laughed together;

The play was well written and well acted

but at times complex and confusing, so we

compared notes during intermission;

we had each caught different subtle nuances

that we pooled and clarified together.

We talked about animals; Maureen said she

had dogs for over 40 years,

At her feet a chain rattled and up came the black head of a young

Labrador-retriever, her new eyes still in training,

she insisted on parking her warm face in Maureen’s lap;

Don pushed the dog back down to the floor.

“She’s bored, he said, but she has to learn,”

 
Everything I write is true…
Maureen and Don are a blind couple. In the states, Labrador Retrievers are used as seeing-eye dogs; guide dogs are allowed everywhere with those they assist, and they are the only dogs that are permitted in otherwise restricted places.
This fabulous couple followed the play as well as any sighted people, understood everything, and for all intents and purposes, were not handicapped.  It is the way we “view” those who are challenged that can make others handicapped.
I’ve always hoped I’d run into them again. They were an inspiration.
Now, reread the poem.