You Broke Your Leg? Poem by Danny Draper

You Broke Your Leg?

Rating: 4.9


Yes I broke my silly leg
That would account for the crutches!

How did it happen?

Well after the immobility, the operation and torment,
It was caused by me not listening
To the sound advice of my better judgement.

It could have happened in the Melbourne Cup,
As I fell
And the horse went on to win.

It could have happened in the Sydney to Hobart,
As the boom swung ‘round
And us about to claim line honours.

It could have happened in a marathon,
When I didn't see that pot hole
Just ahead of the bloke who would have come second.

It could have happened mountain climbing,
As I reached for some rocks not seeing them loose
Just before the summit.

But it happened roller skating,
After a break of twenty years, one and three quarter laps later
I buckled, twisted, split and went down like a sack of spuds.

My leg was plastered, it was heavy like cement,
Now its bright yellow fibre glass
And I can't wait to be shot of it.

So as I sit here or hobble around,
My teenage years long since spent
I know when next asked to go roller skating,
That I'll listen to my better judgement.


4/11/2001

COMMENTS OF THE POEM
Karen Deeks 17 March 2012

Ha ha ha! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! I love this so much, my face hurts laughing... I tripped out of the launderette years ago and dislocated my elbow :) I sat disgraced as my mum had to dress me he he and I shouldn't of been playing there anyway. Us poor kids used to get in the giant dryers and spin each other round.. Great days and this write is in my fav poem list. Wonderbar... Karen

3 0 Reply
Walterrean Salley 19 March 2012

Sorry for your troubles. What an expensive lesson, Danny. But, more importantly, you've learned quite well. And thank you for sharing this with us.

0 0 Reply
Wahab Abdul 19 March 2012

In reality you might break your leg in not listening and adhering the better judgement of your experienced lapped wisdom , i am very sympathetic to physical condition and the suffering and trauma but i am not going explain the poem in related the accident but i shall take the event '' breaking of your leg '' in an oblique expression which symbolises more serious things of our lives, breaking ones legs could be an excellent metaphor........and the poem could be explained in a better way...............................best of luck.................

0 0 Reply
Valerie Dohren 22 March 2012

Poor you - I haen't managed to break anything YET, but if I do, maybe I'll write a poem about it too.

0 0 Reply
Dave Walker 25 March 2012

I am the same i still think i, m in my teens. but touch wood i have not broke anything in a long time. A great poem.

0 0 Reply
Rob Lamberton 22 December 2022

Does the leg still remind you of that day? It's amazing how we can break and heal but usually little physical reminders remain.

0 0 Reply
Ruth Walters 13 August 2020

It probably would have happened sooner or later as we rarely listen to ourselves even when we know we're right, we often dismiss ourselves but on occasions when we heed ourselves, we surprise ourselves. The roller skating was a bit of a let down after the Melbourne cup and the Marathon, a bit of a mundane sport to break your leg over, heh heh. Nice write, I enjoyed your poem Danny

0 0 Reply
Mj Lemon 21 June 2019

A metaphor for so many situations in life, a talk with oneself, a response to someone who's been in a similar situation, a conversation with someone who didn't expect to meet your broken leg....all make sense. There is so much profound commentary/possibility/observation about life in this terrific verse. This goes to myfavourites.

2 0 Reply
Susan Lacovara 22 October 2013

Very funny...took me back to the breaking of my classical, while roller skating with my brothers...pretending we were part of a roller derby. Half a body cast...and then the untimely unset of chicken pox underneath...literally itching to be free of plaster prison! ! ! My roller derby days met sudden demise.

1 0 Reply
Douglas Scotney 28 April 2012

Risky Business It could have happened at Semaphore. Friend thought he was doing me a good turn: Bought me a double whisky,2 months ago: Fainted, spuds, sore ankle, lucky. Still sore though. Fell over a box this week. Gashed fore fetlock. Forgot the parachute but landed like a cat. The hose tried to get me today.

0 0 Reply
READ THIS POEM IN OTHER LANGUAGES
257 / 247
Danny Draper

Danny Draper

Kiama, New South Wales, Australia
Close
Error Success