Girl In Vegetative State Plays Tennis Poem by Cheryl Lynn Moyer Peele

Seemingly lifeless in endless REM,
only internal cycles remain,
bright cerebral flashes that light up
when a Cambridge researcher demands,
'Think about playing tennis'.

The brain fires up, memories
connect, thoughts whirl.
Her feet and tennis balls fly
again. Point, serve, return
as the MRI calmly observes.

'Now walk around your home.'

This next command launches her
daily trek in cozy pink slippers
with a steaming coffee mug
while singing 'Good Morning Star Shine'
to fragile white orchids.