by Lucy M. Young

My body may be handicapped But my mind and heart are free, And my spirit leads me outward Where my heart most longs to be. I soar with the astronauts In weightless carefree joy, The stars my sparkling neighbors, The moon a bright new toy. I roam through fields of clover And drink from mountain streams; Reality's so dull beside The splendor of my dreams. They lead me through the velvet night Where moonglow lights my way, From the vivid glow of sunset To the rosy dawn of day. With the wind and rain for playmates My gypsy heart roams free, From stately stands of virgin pine To the wind caves by the sea. O'er the burning sands of the desert And the Northland's ice and snow, In the rushing roar of the ocean, Great peace and joy I know. But I must needs return to earth, To my crutches and my pain; 'Til my spirit leads me outward To freedom once again.