Fire Brick Road: poem
~Fire Brick Road~
Down this yellow brick road of fire and pain
There are things that you’ll learn and there’s knowledge you’ll gain.
*
You learn people prefer when you’re funny instead
Of telling the truth about how bad things get.
*
You’ll figure it out that folks get annoyed
When you tell them you’re hurting when they’re feeling joy.
*
If someone asks about your health facts,
You must pair each truth with a blessing you have.
*
Otherwise, they will think that you are pathetic,
Even though they may really seem sympathetic.
*
Make sure to be cautious about each complaint,
You’re “sick” now so people expect you to act like a saint!
*
A bit more advice as you walk the path:
You’ll subtract a few friends, so learn some quick math.
*
You’re just not fun like they remember,
But hang on to the ones who will love you forever.
*
If you are grateful, then you will do better
The things that are negative really can fester.
*
If someone else tries to meet a need,
It’s best to say “thanks!” and learn to receive.
*
This yellow brick road of fire and ice
Has more stuff like: Doctors, and money, and guilt… OH MY!
*
But on this road you aren’t alone
God’s with you, and others who limp it in toe.
*
So when you are ready just reach on out,
Someone will be here; there’s always traffic on this route.
-by A Body of Hope
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Yellow Brick Road | by Artist Andrea
Thank you to Artist Andrea for allowing her awesome Yellow Brick Road painting to be featured. Please go buy one of her unique original pieces from Etsy. Many of her paintings have the spirit of Frida Kahlo. Check them out!
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Posted on December 5, 2014, in Chronic Illness, Chronic Pain, Disability, Humor, Poetry, RSD/CRPS and tagged abodyofhope, adaptation, adapting, Advice on living with Chronic pain, awareness, CFS, Chronic Pain Poem, Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, crps, CRPS poem, fibromyalgia, Fibromyalgia poem, ME, MS, MS poem, Pain poem, poem, poetry, rsd, RSD poem, Spoonie poem, Wizard of Oz art, Wizard of Oz Poem, yellow brick road poem. Bookmark the permalink. 15 Comments.
aBodyofHope 
Its a great poem. It’s not easy these days to find a poet who has the ability and patience to write a poem that has rhymes as this one. That is one thing that gives it beauty but very difficult to come by.
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Why thank you! I really enjoyed writing this one- it was fun, so I appreciate your comment very much 🙂
I don’t think poetry needs to rhyme, of course, but following the tradition of poetry, I like the idea of having some wordplay development inside of the structure. Most of all though, my poems flow from within me, making me laugh or cry or smile. If they have wordplay, it’s a bonus 🙂
It’s lovely to find another who notices little nuances in structure like that. Thank you for taking the time to visit and comment!
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Its my pleasure. I like to support people who are doing something I consider great.
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Thanks so much for featuring my OZ painting! & lovely poem too – love it when art inspires and vice versa! 🙂
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Artist Andrea,
Thank you! I’m very excited to feature your painting today! Your bright beautiful piece makes me smile and tells a story. I know my readers will enjoy it as much as I do. Thank you so much for permitting your awesome work to light up the hearts of those who might be struggling today. You have so many wonderful works in your shop. I’m so glad we have found each other 🙂
❤
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Thank you for this wise, yet light of heart, poem. Living with chronic illness truly sucks, but a sense of humor helps, without doubt. Faith, too, helps — in yourself, in those who love you, in the natural world, in God. In whatever it is that can bring lightness and beauty into your world. (((hugs)))
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Thank you for such a lovely comment, Kitt. You truly brought light and beauty into my world today 🙂
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Yay!
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You are a very talented poet! Says exactly how so many of us feel. Thank you!
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Thank you so much for the sweet comment!
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Dear of you to handle this tough quandary with humor. Yes, the truth is we do have to be judicious with what and how much we share. I shed the cynicism years ago. I always say everyone has his, her own load. I’m grateful if anyone cares to try and help shoulder mine a bit but I can’t go around expecting.
Xx
Diana
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Diana,
Thank you so much for your thoughtful comments. I always appreciate them as I love your writing on your blog.
You’ve hit on one of those challenges all of us with chronic illness comes to eventually: Hoping others we love will understand our struggles…but in the end, we have to face the reality that we each have our unique journeys to traverse.
It is lovely, however to find those kindred spirits who we have things in common with along the way 🙂
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We accept gratefully whatever understanding we receive while freeing people to deal w/ their own burdens. =)
Xx
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Well said! Your poem pulls in so much of what we go through and expresses it in such a beautiful way.
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Thank you so much Kathleen ❤ Your comments are always so encouraging. It means a great deal.
I hope you are surviving the changes in weather and changes in your pain this year. Sending you warm hugs xo
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