This "poem" is for all those people who need to hear a few words of encouragement and may not have the energy to read a long work. Sit back and enjoy the audio if you prefer...
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Oh, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Why do you hang around me so?
You have little personality. You dress all too casual and
You talk in a whisper making it hard to hear your calling
Other times you shout at the top of your raspy, weak throat
And set my poor head to ringing.
Oh, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
I'm no poet, but if I were one you'd leave me little to laud
You offer no color for my weary eyes, no song for delight,
No flashy repose to grace the side of my bed
Your brain teasers, cruel. Your exercises, useless and hollow
Oh, illness of late, you should leave and not tarry around me
Be gone o' vengeful lover, my heart grows to despise you
My soul floats aimlessly... helplessly bound to your nether world
I don't like it... I don't feel safe here. I want to leave. I scream!
Let me go, cruel one, but don't grab another victim on your way out.
Oh, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, you leave me in a void,
If I don't count the unattractive company of nausea and pain
My glass is half-empty with lack of desire to do anything of merit
Settling to the bottom, my energy wanes. Will "I" return?
My soul finally lands on the rough, rocky ground. I scare can see
Your face as I nap in hazy days and dark black nights
I turn away from you with angry covers kicking and loose
Flouncing about a torturous bed of nails as I seek comfort.
I wonder why you insist on staying by my side. Certainly like this
I am no beauty. No grand prize. Oh, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Begrudingly, you teach me some really tough lessons
At the same time forcing my tired brain to learn survival skills
Somehow the days of introspection and prayer
Nudge me to see the glass half-full
I receive new and amazing gifts of holy help and promise of recovery
They come my way. I appreciate each one and am awed.
As I muddle through the last heaviness and deep crevasses,
I find lighter ground and the safety of new possibilities and new hope.
A rising sense of joy overtakes my soul which once felt lost
Grandeur of the possibilities of health grows each day within me.
A new awareness to job, family, health... even me. I am still me!
I'm grateful for the tough lessons I'm learning.
My soul discovers a renewed meaning that makes me smile.
Oh, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, I'm grateful that you came, I think...
But hear me clearly, oh, uninvited guest--
I'm really glad you're leaving for evermore!
--------------------The End------------------------
Thanks for reading and listening to the thoughts of a person who at one time had a truly bad case of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.
Cinda Crawford, host of the Health Matters Show
