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Open Poetry #47
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JerryPat2
Member Laureate
since 2011-02-06
Posts 16975
South Louisiana

0 posted 2011-08-04 09:57 AM


For over two months I have been battling the shingles, Google it if you don't know what it is. It is to the depressing stage and therefore my writing is getting even more "dark." Just you you know . . .

listen to the stillness
absolute quiet sound
listen, can you hear shrieks
coming out of the dark
the dark gives us nightmares
and our shadows bring fear
shadows can be your bane
all you can do is wait
for emptiness to feed
the cavern of your soul
where it is very hard
to take a gulp of air
with every throbbing breath
you feel death's knell below
and plunge to lunacy
and its seething madness
there's nothing left for you
but gloom and tears of woe
tears which refuse to fall
you've made your shadow real
you are your shadows' kin
shadows are forever
if you hate your shadow
you are hating yourself



~ If I agreed with you we'd both be wrong. ~

© Copyright 2011 Jerry Pat Bolton - All Rights Reserved
Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354
Listening to every heart
1 posted 2011-08-04 10:32 AM


"you are your shadow's kin"

Yes...

My first experience of anyone who
suffered from this plight was made
about 40+ years ago. I remember how
miserable he was with them.

Sending extremely tender

"The business of the poet...is to show the sorriness underlying the grandest things and the grandeur underlying the sorriest things." Thomas Hardy

Lori Grosser Rhoden
Member Patricius
since 2009-10-10
Posts 10202
Fair to middlin' of nowhere
2 posted 2011-08-04 10:49 AM


I got real lucky and caught mine early and got medication and they didn't get full blown. You can get vaccinated for them now too. My heart goes out to you I know they are hellish. oxoxoxox
Lori

JerryPat2
Member Laureate
since 2011-02-06
Posts 16975
South Louisiana
3 posted 2011-08-04 11:03 AM


Thanks for that tender hug, Sunshine, it helped. Truly.

Good for you, Lori, yes indeed it is a bitch to say the least. I have been noticing times when the pain is not nearly as severe, but they don't last long. I'm hoping that means it is nearing the end of this hellish damn thing.

~ If I agreed with you we'd both be wrong. ~

Michael
Moderator
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-08-13
Posts 7666
California
4 posted 2011-08-04 08:21 PM


A shadow of the man...I used to be.

I heard that somewhere, your poem made me remember it.  Truly dark, and even morso knowing the motivation behind it.  Believe it or not I can relate.  You have both my empathy and sympathy on this one.

Nicely done, btw.


Michael

JerryPat2
Member Laureate
since 2011-02-06
Posts 16975
South Louisiana
5 posted 2011-08-04 09:10 PM


I thank you, Michael, for your empathy and sympathy. I think, from just this morning, the pain seems to be subscribing somewhat. It is still pain, but not as before. I just hope it continues. The medicine I have to take makes me feel light-headed like I'm kinda loaded, which I am in fact. I know it will end, someday, but it seems to be taking a long, long time.  

~ If I agreed with you we'd both be wrong. ~

tuffluv66
Member
since 2011-05-13
Posts 121
Iowa, U.S.A.
6 posted 2011-08-04 09:12 PM


A nice read.Sorry about ur plight.
JerryPat2
Member Laureate
since 2011-02-06
Posts 16975
South Louisiana
7 posted 2011-08-04 09:51 PM


Thanks, tuffluv66. It seems to be getting better.

~ If I agreed with you we'd both be wrong. ~

Marchmadness
Member Rara Avis
since 2007-09-16
Posts 9271
So. El Monte, California
8 posted 2011-08-05 12:55 PM


Wow! I am so glad that shot for shingles last week. So sorry to hear that you are battling such an unpleasant situation. Hope you feel better soon. At least in hasn't affected your writing ability.
                               Ida

Prasad Nataraj
Senior Member
since 2008-05-29
Posts 1149
Bangalore,India
9 posted 2011-08-05 12:33 PM


Very dark write indeed, Jerry.
“the dark gives us nightmares
and our shadows bring fear” I can relate to that one very well.
Hope you are getting better.

"The secret behind survival of mankind is kindness and love within our hearts"

JerryPat2
Member Laureate
since 2011-02-06
Posts 16975
South Louisiana
10 posted 2011-08-05 01:10 PM


I'm glad you got the shingle shot also, Ida, it will save you some awful pain.

Thank you, Prasad, for your best wishes, and for commenting on the poem.

~ Man who fish in other man's well often catch crabs. ~

jwesley
Member Rara Avis
since 2000-04-30
Posts 7563
Spring, Texas
11 posted 2011-08-06 11:54 PM


Yeah, I can only imagine, my friend.  Haven't really 'known' anyone for sure that I knew had the shingles, but have read a lot about them...
no party there for sure.  I'll be getting the shot next visit with my doctor...he mentioned it last visit but I only wanted a "wellness" shot at that time...

Wishing you the best...

j.


JerryPat2
Member Laureate
since 2011-02-06
Posts 16975
South Louisiana
12 posted 2011-08-07 07:34 AM


Thanks,j, I hadn't known there was a shot for it

~ Man who fish in other man's well often catch crabs. ~

ebonygirl
Member Elite
since 2011-07-14
Posts 2000
California U.S.A
13 posted 2011-08-08 06:30 PM


I'm sorry to hear that you are in pain.
Yes, there is a shot available.
Sending you get well prayers,
ebonygirl

JerryPat2
Member Laureate
since 2011-02-06
Posts 16975
South Louisiana
14 posted 2011-08-08 06:58 PM


Appreciate the thoughts, ebonygirl, I'll be going to see the doctor tomorrow. I'll bring up the shots then and a couple of more things.

~ If work is so terrific, why do they have to pay you to do it. ~

Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049
California
15 posted 2011-08-08 08:39 PM


Sorry you're still suffering from this, Jerry.  I know it doesn't help that I've had it too, but I do understand...maybe that helps.
JerryPat2
Member Laureate
since 2011-02-06
Posts 16975
South Louisiana
16 posted 2011-08-08 10:03 PM


Yes, Martie, it does help. Not a great deal, but at least I know someone out there who knows what it is like. I hate taking the pain medication, but I need it even if it does keep me in another plane of existence.

~ If work is so terrific, why do they have to pay you to do it. ~

JL
Member Ascendant
since 2004-04-01
Posts 6128
Texas, USA
17 posted 2011-08-09 01:13 PM


Heartfelt expression of your battle.  Hoping the best for you.

JL

suthern
Deputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Seraphic
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723
Louisiana
18 posted 2011-08-09 03:01 PM


I am so sorry for your pain and glad you're getting better... but your misery inspired fine poetry!!
JerryPat2
Member Laureate
since 2011-02-06
Posts 16975
South Louisiana
19 posted 2011-08-09 05:05 PM


Thanks, JL and *S*, for your words of compassion. It is just something I'm going to have to deal with.

~ If work is so terrific, why do they have to pay you to do it. ~

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