Strength Against the Storm
I can feel it coming, you know.
I can feel the atmospheric pressure plummet
As the thunderstorm approaches.
Although the pressure is falling,
it feels more like I'm being slowly crushed.
Every inch of my body begins to swell.
Slowly taking on this uninvited guest,
this inflammation of unknown origin.
My fingers, toes and joints are stiff
and becoming more so with
each passing moment
As the day progresses
and as the storm draws near,
the power of the energy grows
It becomes harder to sit still,
I unsuccessfully try to focus on anything
just to take my attention away
from the ever intensifying pain.
The aggravation and irritation
have made themselves known.
Mole hills become mountains,
the calming effects of a babbling brook
gradually turning into the madness
and chaos of whitewater.
Here I am atop this inadequate canoe,
being carried along by the current
without anyway of controlling the direction
or the speed of which I am being propelled.
The inflammation continues
throughout my body,
my rib cage is screaming
as the bones begin to break
Outside the storm is raging,
lightning crashes, thunder booms
The trees are being violently thrashed about
by the pure strength of the winds.
The tears are flowing by this point,
I wonder why I have this burden to carry,
It feels like I've been cursed.
I am rocking back and forth,
trying to comfort myself
as you would a fussy baby.
The pressure continues to increase,
my body feels like it can't possible take any more.
Then, as with all storms
this one begins to ease.
The winds die down
The thunder and lightning conclude
their overture for the evening.
The pressure changes, the air feels lighter.
Although many times the pain remains.
It'll hold on for days, or sometimes weeks
And it truly wears away at your resolve.
This intense pain is hard to deal with
But it's has shown me my strength,
it has shown me that I am truly blessed
to have the ability to get through these times.
Some have witnessed this tremendous fight
It can be rather scary, I'd say
to see someone in so much misery,
The helplessness that must be felt by all.
I have been through this many times
in the 25 years since it started.
This wasn't the first and unfortunately,
I know this won't be the last.
From now until the next,
I'll enjoy each day as I can, and
I'll continue to make my way through,
to show my strength against
the storm until my dying day.
-Mary Taylor
4/16/2020
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