Breath & Shadow
June 2026 - Vol. 23, Issue 3
"Spock and I"
written by
Rochelle M. Anderson
Often others just do not listen.
My words don’t always come out right.
I feel a strong bond with the famous First Officer.
I suffered a severe stroke
and feel I am in a horrifying nightmare.
Each of us in different worlds.
He is from an alien planet,
odd pointy ears, green blood,
heart in middle of abdomen.
I walk strangely, learned to use my left hand,
not my dominant right hand,
lost much of my dexterity and strength.
People see us and turn away, repulsed.
Half human, half Vulcan,
by himself, a loner, fascinating,
logical and a genius without emotion.
Half human, half Aphasia,
my personality, sense of humor, and
intelligence remain.
Rochelle M. Anderson had a severe stroke in 2007 and almost died. She is still disabled with difficulty walking; and because of aphasia struggles with reading and writing. Ms. Anderson loves creating seed art, her grandchildren and Lake Superior. Rochelle has been published in several chapbooks and poetry journals. She published her first book, Stormy Road: Reawakening from Stroke and Aphasia, in 2026. Writing poetry has helped her recover; and dictation fuels her words.