Andrea Dietrich Poet Quatrain

Notes About The Poem

For Seth Pina's How Are You Feeling? Poetry Contest

How I am Feeling

When asked how I’m feeling, what can I say?
“Same old, same old” – even on this nice day.
Except for some hiccups with dang things like bills,
I’ve nothing to mention of any new thrills.

I’ve got disabilities, so often in bed
I lie here each day making rhymes in my head.
My house I might leave with errands to run,
but then I can’t wait to get them all done.

I do have a class called Aqua Zumba.
It’s fun, but it’s not like folks there can rumba.
In water, my back pain feels less surreal,
but once I get out, a burden I feel.

It’s like a heaviness weighing me down
‘til after some minutes of walking around,
I hurry and shower, get dressed and leave,
happy at least I have goals to achieve:
.
Like home therapy and contests to write for,
and fixing quick meals (since food I adore).
My daughter – divorced now and nearly fifty -
is dating a guy 34. That’s quite nifty!

She’s moved in with us (my hubby and me).
Her kids (young adults) live here too rent free.
It’s sure not the Golden Years I had envisioned,
but they help us out, and we’re well-provisioned.

I’m grateful despite my physical woes.
While others on earth live in the throes
of calamity, I have some joy to hold,
Still asked how I’m feeling, it’s “same old, same old.”

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Ink Empress April 2, 2026 at 1:36 AM I just posted for this contest too. Your poem is so sincere and so poignant sweet andrea! For me, you are an inspiration, as a person too, how youv handled and also still handle so many things in your personal life! You really are amazing! Aqua zumba sounds fun. Do you do it in a pool that is warm? It must have warm water? When its winter time? Must be indoors? I love the cadence and lyrical nature of your word weaving here! Definitely a fave for me Anyway! Best wishes Sending you light always Andrea Dietrich April 2, 2026 at 1:51 AM Thanks, Sweetie, for saying that. The pool is indoors in my gym and it's not warm. I wish it was. But once you get in and move around, it is ok. Just hate first getting in it. But it's not super cold. I gotta see if you did your feeling poem. It will for sure be more poetic than mine!!

Gary Radice April 1, 2026 at 9:23 AM I thought I'd take a look in on an Andrea D poem having not done so for a while. I'm so glad I did! Your great work here had me remembering a quote by a British comedian called Norman Wisdom that could easily refer to me: “As you get older three things happen. The first is your memory goes, and I can’t remember the other two.” It's good that you are keeping busy and poetry can play such an important part with cognition. Keep on writing. Cheers - Gary Andrea Dietrich April 1, 2026 at 10:53 AM Thanks. Hopefully cognition isn't the biggie for me. I blame my conditions on a doctor who had me on Prolia ten years ago. Never let any loved one of yours risk their health on this horrible fake bone strengthener

Joseph P. DiMino April 1, 2026 at 5:34 AM Hi Andrea; first, blessings my friend, and wishing you and yours a wonderful Easter! You probably have tried this already, but lying upside down on a slant board has helped me more than any doctor or other therapy. I use this method often, as soon as my back gets a twinge. I find it helps the mind also. My experience anyway. I am no doctor. This method keeps both my back and neck reasonably pain free. In fact, I have gotten to the point where I really enjoy it. No dizziness lying upside down. Only need 2-4 minutes a day or whenever. Andrea Dietrich April 1, 2026 at 11:03 AM Thanks. Actually I have been on prayer lists from various churches over the last 8 years. My conditions are neurological. I get strange sensations on my back constantly like creepy crawly stuff or like an octopus is squeezing it. My mouth was affected too. I have a neuropathic mouth and excess saliva that makes me choke on food sometimes and steals half the pleasure of eating. All this came from a fake bone strengthener called Prolia which I later found out I did not even need. So I am very cynical of doctors and will not let myself ever again be injected by something that can give me possible horrible side effects. I have spent thousands of dollars looking for a cure. This is all coming from the back of my brain stem. I am sure of it. Never take Prolia . Some women have lost all their teeth or broke their jaws from using it. Those women won a class action lawsuit! Because my condition is so rare, no lawyer would take my case. Nice, huh?

Sara Kendrick April 1, 2026 at 4:40 AM You are not alone with these kinds of problems. A well written poem about the situation so many older people find themselves. Two of my children have been back in my home since they got grown but both did not stay long. Phyllis' son who has HD has been with me since he was 16 and he is deteriorating with his illness quite rapidly. There was once was a song something about strings, how they hold me down, at the end of the song it says something to the effect, strings, how they lift me up. Sara K Andrea Dietrich April 1, 2026 at 11:10 AM Sounds like a cool song, Sara

Charles Messina April 1, 2026 at 2:17 AM I love this this, Andrea. We never know when our children will be back knocking on our door. In the past 4 years I've had 2 of my kids move back in. One at the time was 37 the other was 31. Both have moved out again. Same old, same old! Andrea Dietrich April 1, 2026 at 11:16 AM I think it's becoming a national trend. Living with one's parents. I actually want my daughter to stay with us because my husband has lots of problems and I don't know if I can handle all his stuff in the future since I could never afford a nursing home for him. I am sure my daughter will marry her boyfriend. I want them to live downstairs. I just hope the grandkids will have found careers and spouses by then. But I have one that is a bit autistic so he probably isn't going anywhere. Nice guy though and he does have a job!

Victor Buhagiar April 1, 2026 at 1:26 AM Don't ask me how I feel. At 85, it's all aches and pain. Still I thrive, thank the good Lord. I'll post next Monday so I wish you a Happy Easter. Andrea Dietrich April 1, 2026 at 11:18 AM I know, Victor. You have been through a lot. I hope God blesses you for being such a good person

Christopher Delegans April 1, 2026 at 12:02 AM Heartfelt and full of talent I must say. Your style of writing is extremely engaging and easy for the reader to go on a journey. I thoroughly enjoyed your marvelous poem, Andrea Andrea Dietrich April 1, 2026 at 12:35 AM Thanks for those kind words, Christopher

Joe Maverick March 31, 2026 at 11:19 PM May the Lord bless you and all your Familiy..Ma y there be much gold in The days coming Andrea, may he meet All your needs, and allow some over.. All blessimgs my thoughts are with you.) Andrea Dietrich April 1, 2026 at 12:36 AM Thanks, my friend

Abdullah Alhemaidy March 31, 2026 at 3:27 PM Thanks God any way! That's all what I would like to point out. You are great in both poetry and prose! Have a nice day dear lovely sweet friend! Andrea Dietrich March 31, 2026 at 4:27 PM Thanks, my friend

CayCay Godwin March 31, 2026 at 3:06 PM Applause for the dramatic flair that is your last line. The 2 lines above were surely inspired by the fires now expiring any joy my feelings might sight. From start to finish you certainly witnessed the truths of your doings and the how in your feelings. You're on a talent driven contest streak, and I'm sure this will likewise peak. I tried to get u to call Andrea Dietrich March 31, 2026 at 4:27 PM You are too kind. Probably what I wrote here is TMI. But that's just how I am. Thanks. Luv ya!

Connie Pachecho March 31, 2026 at 1:46 PM Andrea, after reading your poem, I feel younger; it gave me a spark, and my hearing loss is bad, but not as bad as it can be. GL in the contest. Andrea Dietrich March 31, 2026 at 2:28 PM Well good for you. We must go on!!

Ilene Bauer March 31, 2026 at 1:37 PM andrea - you've described your life very well, which is impressive to do in rhyme! i'm sorry to hear about your situation with your pain, but it sounds like you still manage to lead a fulfilling life and have a great support system around you... Andrea Dietrich March 31, 2026 at 2:32 PM Thanks, Ilene. I do love life. I only regret ever letting a doctor give me Prolia, which started the strange sensations on my back and neuropathy in my mouth . That was nine years ago. I was one of the unlucky 5% whose rare side effects don't go away .No doctors have been able to help me. So weird!