Saturday, April 9, 2011

Ode to Chronic Illness

An Ode to Chronic Illness
By Kerri Sweeris

O illness of mine which has torn me asunder,
I hate you as much as the weather I'm under.
You rob me of joy and of life and of breath.
And of you, chronic illness I am sick to death!

Chronic illness is something I would not dare send
To kith or to kin, rotten enemy or friend.
It breaks and it weakens and hurts you some more
Til you rail against heaven and stomp on the floor.

This illness I have has cost more that I thought.
Friendships, relationships, more pain than it ought.
One thing rings true when you have something chronic.
You aren't going to fix it with gin or with tonic.

You can't fight your battles, though many they are,
You can't walk or see straight, you can't drive the car.
People will judge you for gluttony and sloth
(Unless you fall down, seize, and at the mouth froth).

I'm so sick of hearing, "But you look so good!"
This illness does things that no illness should.
I may look okay when at me you first glance,
But give me an hour and I may pee my pants!

Incontinence is only one "joy" in my life.
There's double vision, weakness, worry and strife.
Don't forget isolation, boring and lonely,
Even from one who is the one and the only....

Fill in the blank, be it family or spouse;
All I know is I'm often alone in this house.
Some people hang around for a month maybe more,
But soon their own lives come and knock on their door.

So for us who are chronically, totally ill,
We wait and we wait for that one magic pill.
The one that will take us to where we've been wishin'
That oh-so-desired, elusive remission.

Remember for now that if you see someone odd
They may be that way by allowance of God.
They may have some reasons they can't "this or that"
And it's not 'cause they're lazy, insolent or fat.

O illness, my illness, your death I desire
I want to be free again, free to admire
The outdoors, and swimming pools and even bee stings.
I want to be OUTSIDE to hear when birds sing.

I will never give up this fight I am in
And you, blasted illness, you will NEVER win.
I am strong, (and I'm funny) I also have class.
So you chronic illness, can kiss my sweet (BEEP).

7 comments:

CoconutPalmDesigns said...

Wow! Did you write that! Very, very, cool! I like the last line especially!

Cheers :-)
- CoconutPalmDesigns

Pitterle Postings said...

Kerri, I hope it made you feel better!! It does me when I can relieve some of the stress with a little humor. I hope you are having a good day. And that all is well. Remember that you are amazing. The illness does not control all of you.

Renee said...

Great poem! It was funny but also sad that it's true for you . . .

Kate Pantier @ Mommy Monologues said...

Kerri, this is awesome. I hope Kay reads it!

I'm so sorry that this is what you have to deal with every day.

Rachel said...

You've said it all, your ode is truly a work of art!

Chronic illness is no picnic. It's a struggle every minute of every day.

Now as one Mg friend to another,
YOU LOOK MARVELOUS!!!!

Love Ya!

claire said...

Kerri, this is AWESOME! I would like to share it on my blog if you don't mind. You did such a great job of capturing MG fighting it with wit and grace!!! Bravo!

Kerri said...

Thanks everyone,
Claire, you may absolutely use it on your blog. Just please link it back to mine. Thanks! nice to "meet" you!

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