But You Don'T Look Sick

'But you don't look sick'

"What you doing just lying there?
I'm sure it would help if you begged in more prayer"
"Have you not yet tried this special snake oil?"
I've said there's no cure, my blood starts to boil

"But you look just fine" I guess I must refrain
From boring you with woes of my pain
Well I'm bored of hearing "you don't look sick"
You don't look stupid I think
Yet you must be thick
"You're far too young to be in such pain"
Oh really? Then to broken body explain.

"Get well soon" I know you're trying to be kind
But that ain't gonna happen
If Google 'chronic' you'll find;
'Persistent, long-standing, long term'
"I'm trying" I smile instead of making you squirm

"I'm sure you can't really need that chair"
"How can it be that hard just to blow dry damp hair?"
When walking in pain don't dare use a stick
"Just exercise more you can't be that sick"
"Just try this new potion"
"It's all in your head"
"My cousin used lotion"
"Instead of lazing in bed"

"You must be depressed, you're anxious a lot"
Yeah coz being told all is well
One might lose the plot
"I don't care what you say it must just be the worry"
Oh yes coz my body would heal 
If I just told it I'm sorry

Why is it because you've not heard of my plight
That you think it's essential I put up a fight?
It's real and it's chronic and arrived via genes
Not because I haven't yet fulfilled all my dreams

Believe me I wish I could come out tonight
And if winning disease was through putting up fight
I'd have won it by now i'd be so much better
But it's in black and white on many a consultants letter

'But you don't look sick' - 
Victoria Payne February 2016

One of my personal favourites :)
Copyright © | Year Posted 2016


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Date: 9/7/2016 4:48:00 PM
I can see why it is a favorite. We can't always see the pain and even when we do we would rather look the other way. Great write, Victoria.
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