brachiotomy

Brachiotomy: the amputation of an arm.

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As an ex-nurse, I have strong recollections of a patient who sustained a traumatic Brachiotomy in a traffic accident. Bethany Hamilton is a great inspiration to me — as post shark attack — she is living life to the full, one arm down. I am frequently triggered by the sight of vehicle drivers casually driving around with their arm draped outside their window… begging to have it removed!

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Brachiotomy

One spectacular morning in May

He was cruisin’ along

Enjoying his day.

Singing a bit of a song,

Hugging each sinuous curve

up the Herberton Range he drove.

*

Hey! What a nerve!

What’s that idiot doing?

No time to swerve!

Sudden impact sends his car slewing…

thankfully, not off the edge of the range!

*

His sweet little car was a mess

Oh my! What a change!

He tried not to stress…

at the sight just behind his shoulder…

purple twisted mangled metal

caused him to shudder.

*

An arm lazily hanging out the window

would have suddenly been no more!

After such a close shave with sorrow…

he was most grateful, for sure.

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Inspired by an accident involving my best friend Susie’s brother, Weston. Reality was far crazier!

Over four decades later, Susie clarified the details. At night, enter one drunk, unlicensed driver — in a vehicle with a dud right headlight — driving on the wrong side of the road… for all appearances, an oncoming motorbike in its correct lane.

The vehicle tore Weston's sleeve and ripped the right mudguard and door off. His gorgeous Morris Minor — which he called The Purple Pooh — came to rest on some bushes, atop the edge of the mountain range… trusty engine still purring! Quite the miracle!

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Written for the challenge below, by Penny Fuller.