Valsa George Poet Free verse

Notes About The Poem

July- 9- 2026

An Inward Journey Poetry Contest

Sponsor- Neyda IvetteNegron Flores

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An Inward Journey

(This is an old poem re entered)

In a dreary mood, bent and broken,
With an ailment that crippled my life
I lay bedridden for many a month
With every muscle weakened by arthritis 
And every nerve radiating the pain

Dull were the days and sore were the nights,
Time slouched on in mechanical beats,
Mind devoid of any buoyant thoughts,
Senses shut to every cheery throb of life,
I lay awake, day and night staring at the ceiling.

Never a smile lighted up my face,
Nor a gleam of hope brightened up my brain.
Inertia crept over from head to foot.
I had long lost my zest for life.
With my life sap drained out like an empty well,
All I felt was the burn of scalding drought.

Nothing could move my grief laden soul,
None could lift the weight off my back,
Embers of fire sparked from the anvil of my heart,
Heaves of sighs escaped my parched mouth,
I wriggled and writhed in unspeakable pain,
My spirits sank deeper into a slithery marsh,
I saw around only a thick pall of gloom,
Or was it a projection of my own self?

Anguish gnawed my nerves and sinews,
Flames of pain danced within my spine,
I felt my head wobbling and reeling,
And the heavy weight of lead all around my neck.
Felt being pushed down to abysmal depths,
And the octopus tightening its tentacles all around.
“Who on earth will set me free?
What on earth can lift me up?”

With thundering force, the question shook my weary self.
I sprang to my feet and broke the binding chains,
I found I was but in self – exile,
A captive entrapped within boundless space.

I saw the door opening to infinite lengths,
And the arched horizon looming larger than life,
Unbroken, I spread my wings and propelled up,
And darted through the clouds to distant shores.

Who would have thought, my life would change this way!

(Own Story)

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Sara Kendrick July 18, 2026 at 5:00 AM Well, I don't know if arthritis was the real cause of your pain or only a metaphor for something else, but I do know that any kind of arthritis can be crippling and the pain is horrible. I have disc about gone in my neck, L3 and L4 lumbar the disc is gone and it is bone on bone, my right sacroiliac joint is bone on bone, my right knee is bone on bone in one place, so I know about pain and it is no fun. some days are better than others and every night experiences pain. The fatigue is horrible. SK

sara Etgen-Baker July 13, 2026 at 3:17 PM maybe an 'old' poem, but the message is meaningful and personable. sending hugs, Sara

Andrea Dietrich July 12, 2026 at 4:35 PM Was it more than arthritis? It sounds like that really horrible kind. I forget the name for it but I knew someone who had it once . It was so long ago and he was a lot older than me so he must be in peace now. We have to suffer pain on this earth and still cling to God the best we can Valsa George July 13, 2026 at 1:12 AM I am sorry things haven't changed even after years of medication. It makes one feel bad that your condition is the side effect of a treatment you underwent. Hope, with time it will ease out.You are right, no other person will be able to know the depth of agony, such conditions bring. Thanks for your empathetic response. Andrea Dietrich July 13, 2026 at 12:17 AM What a trial. I have had many people praying for me, spent thousands of dollars and keep thinking God is leading me to people. Yet nothing happens and it's 9 years now that it continues with nobody knowing what it is. It even changed since it started as a side effect. It evolved and got worse in some ways. You are right. Poetry gets us through these trials. It's great that you are better now. Hallelujah! Valsa George July 12, 2026 at 9:25 PM It was Rheumatoid Arthritis. It was painful and debilitating. Though I had joint pain all through, it became so aggressive in 2004 and was bedridden for a couple of months. After repeated treatments, I didn't get any relief. I was quite desperate. Looking vacantly I lay so dispirited. It was then, I thought of giving voice to my pain and started scribbling. While on bed, in three four month's time, I wrote 32 poems. That got printed. It was my first poetry collection- Beats. Now I have four Collections of poems. Andrea, since you asked, I just said so much. Now I don't have too many medications and enjoy better health. I know, you too pass through a lot of physical pain. Believe, God will heal you.

Andrea Dietrich July 12, 2026 at 4:33 PM Wow. It is so dramatic. When you say your own story, do you mean this is a period of much tribulation for you before you escaped it? Great way to tell the story. A sure-fire winning poem

Ann Peck July 12, 2026 at 2:49 PM Dear Valsa, I had no idea. Your poetry is so beautiful, and yet it's written in pain. You are a brave and strong soul and I admire you greatly. I wish you many days of blue skies and no pain, dear Valsa.

Joseph P. DiMino July 10, 2026 at 3:13 AM Many think arthritis is simply some painful, twisted joints we all get with age. Could not be further from the truth. I met someone who suffered from a child. His father invented a form of therapy we all use now for a host of sore and debilitating injuries. Invented to help his son's excruciating condition. The bravest, most intelligent, good humored person I have ever know. A hero to me when I get those arthritic twitches. Nothing like what he suffered. Great writing! A FAV!

Sotto Poet July 9, 2026 at 3:13 AM I can only stand in awe of your incredible skills, dear Valsa. How vividly you have portrayed the essence of a Journey. This is a writing for the wise one. I really like these verses: Anguish gnawed my nerves and sinews, Flames of pain danced within my spine; I felt my head wobbling and reeling. It's a relentless quest for those who continue to seek, especially in your own story. I truly savored of your poem. A fave