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One Very Bitter Pill

The pains of those ailments that grab us at will Once better, like stalkers, can linger on still But it’s patently true that life’s bitterest pill Is the pain when it’s someone you love that is ill When struck down, bedridden, we try to be brave Though we feel our survival might be a close shave But we’d gladly accept our God’s beckoning wave If that keeps our loved one away from their grave * And so when I hear that slight tremor of fear No hug and no words for the one I hold dear Can bring forth a smile full of genuine cheer And that forehead kiss… conceals my own tear At night, to the God in whom I don’t believe I sheepishly say, “I don’t want her to leave.” I snuggle up close, I’m not ready to grieve And I smile in the morning as I hear her breathe The doctors I’ve trusted I must trust in still For they’ll mend her again; I’m sure that they will But it’s patently true that life’s bitterest pill Is the pain when it’s someone you love that is ill

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Linda Alice Fowler

Date: 4/3/2025 1:15:00 PM

Many of your friends give a damn Terry. I am included in that list. Hugs, love, and warm wishes sent to you and Annie from Texas. :)

Terry Flood
Date: 4/3/2025 3:08:00 PM

Thank you, Linda. I understand that everything’s bigger in Texas… so those hugs and love will go a long, long way. Terry

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 4/3/2025 11:30:00 AM

It's so sad when this happens. My husband is really struggling but the doctors do not help him. I lost trust in doctors for what they did to me with toxic injections years ago. We can only pray for relief and give what comfort we can to loved ones in pain. A good topic.

Terry Flood
Date: 4/3/2025 3:04:00 PM

Sorry to hear of your husband’s struggles, Andrea, and of your own. It sucks, big time, and I’m sure you know as well as I do, how it feels, when they say, “You really don’t need this.” Thanks for stopping by. Terry

Gershon Wolf

Date: 4/2/2025 9:43:00 PM

methinks you have a reached a rare level of truth here, Terry, and honesty as well. This is a heart-rending and brilliant reveal of or deepest, truest feelings. Bravo! Fave! Thanks, Gershon

Terry Flood
Date: 4/3/2025 2:54:00 PM

Much appreciated, Gershon. I wrote this to straighten out my own feelings in my own mind, never expecting to draft a cohesive whole. Annie cracked a joke today even though her blood pressure was through the floor and she could only stand if I held her up (that got better, as it always does). I may post that ‘joke’ shortly.

Deb M

Date: 4/2/2025 9:59:00 AM

Terry , l was sad to read your very real poem. I am so sorry Annie is battling an illness and that you are naturally worried. Annie sounds like a lovely person and a real trooper and very resilient…Sending you and Annie lots of positivity, love and cuddles!! Your amazing love for each will help guide you both….Love Debx

Terry Flood
Date: 4/2/2025 2:30:00 PM

When Annie and I first met, nobody thought it would last. This August we’ll hit forty years together, I think that could be described as ‘lasting’. She’s five foot three, seven stone and a bit, and makes Twiggy look obese, but I think her heart had been meant for a lion. This episode is worse than most she’s endured, but somehow, I know she’ll win through. Thanks for your kind thoughts, Deb xx

Beryl Edmonds

Date: 4/2/2025 12:20:00 AM

Sorry to read this Terry, will pray for the both of you… Beryl

Terry Flood
Date: 4/2/2025 12:54:00 AM

Thank you, Beryl. I’ve seen Annie beat off so many ‘episodes’ that I put my faith in her own resilience first and foremost and the medics second. To be fair, they do seem to get her better eventually… they just drag their heels before actually doing anything. Sign of the times, I guess.

Tom Cunningham

Date: 4/2/2025 12:19:00 AM

I'm so sorry to see this Terry, I hope she makes a good recovery. She's lucky to have such a loving and caring husband. Tom

Terry Flood
Date: 4/2/2025 12:46:00 AM

Thank you, Tom. Annie has been fighting one ailment or another for so long now, I can barely count the years. And yet, normally, a casual observer would think she was fine. This, feels different but the NHS is coming to the rescue with A TELEPHONE APPOINTMENT in a week. When I asked for that to be sooner they told me to put her symptoms in a WhatsApp message!!! Annie is however, surprisingly resilient so it’s fingers crossed

Lin Lane

Date: 4/1/2025 4:18:00 PM

Terry, is this a seriously for real illness?

Lin Lane
Date: 4/1/2025 5:15:00 PM

That's what friends do, Terry. Hello to Annie.

Terry Flood
Date: 4/1/2025 5:09:00 PM

Thanks, Lin. By nature I’m a pretty private person. I wrote this just to put the words on the page. Decided to share it as I’ve mentioned Annie a time or two on these pages. Thanks for your prayers to the big guy and thanks for giving a damn. Terry.

Lin Lane
Date: 4/1/2025 5:00:00 PM

Terry, some of the poems I think I've written were lines about myself... usually something tragic and heartbreaking. Don't ever omit things about your life if you think they can be shared and yet keep your personal life out of it. I will pray to the God you don't believe in that Annie gets well quickly. ;-)

Terry Flood
Date: 4/1/2025 4:27:00 PM

Hi, Lin. Annie is as tough a gal as I ever met, but she’s struggling. The docs are dragging their heels but I make a pretty good nurse. So all my digits are crossed. Can’t believe, only yesterday, I told you that I keep myself out of my poems…….. that’ll teach me….