Chronic Companion

She sits with me at breakfast,
follows me to the park,
hovers on the drive home,
celebrates when I lie down,
snuggles in with warming pad,
and moans…

Not a companion
I would have chosen,
preferred the active,
athletic life, and yet

She complains with me
in the afternoon, invites
excuses during dinner,
grounds me in the evenings
and tosses me at bedtime

Not a companion
I would have chosen,
but at least I’ll grant her this –
she’s chronically devoted.

 

 

Published by

VJ

Permission to write, paint, and imagine are the gifts I gave myself when chronic illness hit - a fair exchange: being for doing. Relevance is an attitude. Humour essential.

42 thoughts on “Chronic Companion”

  1. How wonderfully and creatively told VJ, and to use a poem to “get it out” so to speak, connects to the human condition in so many ways, not least the vulnerability of illness.

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  2. I feel the vulnerability in this very meaningful poem, V.J. I don’t have the chronic pain or illness, but I have SO many friends who do their best to tell me what their lives are like as they bravely face each day. Your words touch me as I relate through their experiences shared with me. And I admire your ability to put words to such deep times. xx

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  9. Cleverly done, VJ–I like your indomitable creative spirit! And I’m declaring loudly: this will pass and you will feel healthy again, your “youth renewed like an eagle” (can’t remember the Bible verse just now–but it’s in Psalms) 🙂 ❤

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      2. Here’s more: Isaiah 40:31
        But those who wait upon the LORD will renew their strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not faint.

        And Psalm 103:4-5–if you want I’ll copy and send it too 🙂

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  13. I’m sorry to hear that V.J. but at least you have company. Have you ever tried medical marijuana? There is actually a strain called Chronic.

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    1. Ha ha Mike – it’s an inside joke. My kids are always after me to try cannabis. I’m not there yet – suppose I relate it to younger years – already too lethargic.

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      1. I related with this, V.J. I tried CBD oil for three months for pain relief hoping it would be a miracle cure, but I’m one of the 1% that it has no effects on. Not to stear you away from it, it might work for you.

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