Leslie was in high school

Was a star quarter back

He and Jeannie was in love

And they were

Two of the happiest young people

- – -

In a home coming game

Leslie collided with another player

From the opposing team

And was immediately 

Carried off the field 

With a severe spinal injury

- – -

He was transported by ambulance 

To Sentara Leigh Hospital

Where he was unconscious

And his condition was

Considered critical

- – -

His girlfriend Jeannie 

That was a cheerleader

At Kempsville High

Stood by him all the way

She brought him flowers

And greeted him

With a smile when he regained

Consciousness

- – -

Leslie’s parents and Jeannie

Were first to hear the news

From his doctor

What the MRIs

And other tests showed

- – -

The doctor told them

That Leslie wouldn’t 

Be able to walk again

“He’ll recover,” he said

“and will become better

as time passes”

- – -

“He’ll have to have

physical therapy for months

but he’ll be 

confined to a wheel chair”

- – -

Jeannie although she saw

Leslie with tubes

And attachments

Coming from all parts

Of his body

Was not about to give up

On him

- – -

Leslie became better

Would often lose his cool

And told Jeannie off

“Face it,” he would yell, “I’ll

not be able to walk again”

“No,” Jeannie would assure him

“You’ll”

- – -

One day Leslie became

Outraged with Jeannie 

And ordered her out

His room

Telling her

Not to see him again

- – -

Jeannie left in tears

Professing her love for him

And when she tried

To see him again

He would have nothing

To do with her

- – -

Jeannie’s father told her

That it was no longer wise

To consider having Leslie

As a boyfriend 

Because she had her future

Ahead of her 

And he would be unable 

To be adequate

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Because of his disabilities

They would never be able

To have children

- – -

Jeannie didn’t listen

To her father

And did everything 

To reconnect with Leslie

But he would have nothing 

To do with her

For he felt that he had become

A helpless cripple

- – -

It was a sad day 

For both of them

But they were forced to go

Their separate ways

- – -

With physical therapy

Leslie’s condition improved

But he was unable

To walk again

- – -

Jeannie moved on

Went away to college

Received a degree  

In psychology 

For she felt that some day

There might still be hope

For them

- – -

Jeannie was persistent

She attempted to see him

Many times while she was away

At William and Mary

But Leslie was embarrased

About his disabilities

And wanted nothing

To do with her

- – -