The Texture Of Pain Through Poetry

"Poetry comes from the highest happiness or the deepest sorrow."

~A. P. J. Abdul Kalam

When Yellow Tundra Meets the Sky© Courtesy Celeste’s Photography

Those of us who live with chronic pain and illness understand respecting our limitations. But, there are many ways to be energetic, despite having a low physical battery. We can:

·        Be mindful.

·        Be compassionate.

·        Be grateful.

·        And, we can ALL write poetry!

Poetry has become a conduit to my most intimate inner feelings. I think that’s because I have learned to face the relevance of both anguish and joy, the reality that those of us living with chronic pain and illness know. Whether writing or reading poetry, I find there is a positive role for intervention, resolution, and learning to let go, which allows me to explore the diversion of creativity. So much is waiting to be explored.

When I prepare to write, I am energized by favorite words that tempt me with their sweet nectar. I have a favorite word list in my journal, which includes famous quotes that inspire me. I find the rich texture of expression that is born from the words I choose.

I try to share at least one of my poems in April to raise awareness for poetry. The following started as an “I Am” poem.

Dear Pain, Much to Your Chagrin© by Celeste Cooper

Don’t cloud my wits—attack, bother, or nag.

You know you have nothing positive to add.

You fractured the ability to create a red flag.

Dare not threaten my spirit or make me weak,

A tender, tired body deserves not your grief,

This survivor will not stop searching relief.

Mindful of judgments you pose in my ear,

My spirit remains positive in the absence of fear.

Affirmations are the armor that protects what is dear.

So, as constant and unyielding as you try to be,

I continue to bear arms to make you retreat.

Pain, you may have my body, but you don’t have me!

_______________________________________________________________________________

...Poetry has been described as the conduit to our soul. It provides us the emotional and spiritual energy to hurtle over life’s obstacles. It heightens our senses of sight, sound, touch, and smell, and it can be delicious. It offers a feel, a texture, to all we experience and work through in our mind, because it knows no time, no era, nor limits. We can express self and circumstances through the written word…

Pick up your favorite book, a thesaurus from the dollar store, a magazine, whatever, and make a list of some of your favorite words. ...Begin your journey of inner expression—start writing ...

[Excerpt, Broken Body, Wounded Spirit: Balancing the See-Saw of Chronic Pain, SPRING DEVOTIONS https://www.amazon.com/dp/0615958664/ ]

_______________________________________________________________________________

All our books have tips for writing for self-exploration. Poetry is one of those.

Additional Reading:

Creating an I Am Poem

Balancing Pain and Illness Through Poetry

In healing,

Celeste Cooper, RN / Author, Freelancer, Advocate

Think adversity?-See opportunity!

http://www.CelesteCooper.com

~ • ~ • ~ • ~ • ~ • ~

Learn more about Celeste’s books here. Subscribe to posts by using the information in the upper right hand corner or use the share buttons to share with others. 

Balancing Pain and Illness through Poetry

All Eyes to the Sun © Celeste’s Photography

"Poetry is writing about yourself waiting to see what will show up, the words are the finger points of your soul.”

~Sandford Lyne, author of Writing Poetry from the Inside Out

Maintaining forward momentum in the face of pain, fatigue, and unpredictable symptoms can be challenging. In our book Broken Body, Wounded Spirit: Balancing the See-Saw of Chronic Pain, SPRING DEVOTIONS, we talk about inner expression through poetry and how it can help us cope with pain and fatigue. All our books have tips for writing for self-exploration. Poetry is one of those.

___________________________________________________________

APRIL IS POETRY AWARENESS MONTH

___________________________________________________________

Poetry is often thought of as the conduit to our soul. For me, writing poetry heightens my senses and provides an alternative path that promotes mindfulness. The words I chose give my thoughts texture, making them palpable, at least to me. Writing poetry provides a beautiful detour, because unlike physical pain and illness, there are no boundaries, no limitations. We have unabashed freedom to explore and express ourselves using colors, shapes, and concepts we might not otherwise. 

I am in awe of the power of randomly chosen words and their ability to bring me peace. Whether I am working through a difficult situation or embracing the wonders of the world, I know when I'm done, I am connected to an inner being I only know through poetry.

I wrote a blog on how to write “I am” poem, which you can use as a template to write your own.

___________________________________________________________

CREATING AN "I Am" POEM

___________________________________________________________

I love it when the words fly, coming together effortlessly, but that isn't always the case — at times — I have to put my words aside or work from a different angle. But that's why I love to do it.

I wrote this poem staring with four random words: truth, bird, broken, observe. It went through several transformations before I felt a deep meaning for myself. Some of my poems don't make a word of sense to others, but they don't need to. They are mine, just as your will be yours.

This Is My Truth © by Celeste Cooper

Like a bird with a broken wing,

I can stray off course, my flight pattern disrupted.

Wounded from the fall, I will not judge, because

As a wise owl, I observe, I accept, I understand—

Before I take flight, I need time to mend, plan a new course.

This is my truth.

Imperfection as clear as a broken mirror,

Though broken, goals are transformed.

Seedlings forced into maturity will not thrive.

Accepting that mistakes are the seed, I cultivate.

The broken mirror affords a self-reflection of reality.

This is my truth.

I falter, sometimes wretchedly, but enlightened.

Sweet is the nectar of success—not synonymous to perfection.

Erupting from deep inside a reminder from Edison,

"I did not fail; I found 10,000 ways that won't work."

I accept my imperfections—only then—can I take flight.

This is my truth.

I hope you will pick up a pencil and a piece of paper. Write down some of your favorite words, you can find them in crossword puzzles, a good book, the dictionary, or make them up; that's the beauty of it. Let your mind float and your hands glide across the paper as the words guide you to a new place, a place hopefully free of pain and illness, but if you need to work that out, you can go there too by observing until it dissipates in the background. Just do it.

Additional Reading: Minimizing the Consequences of Pain and Illness by Exploring Your Creative Nature through Poetry by Celeste Cooper

In healing,

Celeste Cooper, RN / Author, Freelancer, Advocate

Think adversity?-See opportunity!

http://www.CelesteCooper.com

“Listen closely; I hear the sweet sound of existence.”

~ • ~ • ~ • ~ • ~ • ~

Learn more about Celeste’s books here. Subscribe to posts by using the information in the upper right hand corner or use the share buttons to share with others.

Halloween News: For the Love of Poetry by Celeste Cooper

Those of you who have read any of my books know I enjoy writing poetry. It is my refuge, I get lost in it, and I rediscover myself.

May the goblins be good to you.

Happy Halloween!

Ghosts at Taylor Reservoir© by Celeste Cooper

Driving the Winding Taylor Canyon Road,

Late August teases of tales to be told.

Giant pines grace roads through this land.

Forest shadows retreat, a reservoir at hand.

Man made, Taylor reservoir feeds the crops,

But once, so much more on this mountain top.

Peering voyeurs of past remnants and such,

This land, bare bones, a boom that went bust.

Tailings at Tin Cup scream loud with their voice.

Tarry you will, but this land was our choice.

Ancient gravesites, ghost tales of lore,

Make great stories when done with the chores.

Sheer splendor tugs at my heartstring,

Cottonwood Pass, the tales you bring.

Time walks on these forest floors,

Taylor River, canoes, Ute Indians explored.

Ancestors relished this county as host,

To share pieces of forest, relics, and ghosts.

Excerpt from Winter Devotions. Learn more here. 

Feel Free to use this poem as a template for writing your own. Following is an excerpt from one of our books that will help you get started.

“At the touch of love, everyone becomes a poet.”

~Plato, 429–347 BC

Love in Poetry (Day Nine)

Excerpt from Fall Devotions Learn more here. 

Some poetry can only be interpreted by the author, others, by the reader with his or her own ideas on what the poem says. There is no need to think you can’t write your own poem. Here are a few tips. 

• It doesn’t have to rhyme.

• Pick some favorite words from the dictionary, a book on flowers or birds, or even the telephone directory.

• Add shapes, sounds, texture, color, or smells.

• Put your own spin on it, and let your mind run wild.

• Remember your poetry can be on a real or imaginary experience.

• Title your poem before or after you write it, because there are no boundaries.

• There is no specific length. It can be one sentence.

 And more…

Moving into the Month of Specific Spoonie Awareness by Celeste Cooper

As April 2014 ends, here is a recap for this month's awareness into conditions and methods of coping and re-energizing our body, mind, and spirit.

From Broken Body, Wounded Spirit: Balancing the See-Saw of Chronic Pain, Spring Devotions

"No man is great enough or wise enough for any of us to surrender our destiny to. 

The only way in which anyone can lead us is to restore to us the belief in our own guidance."

~Henry Miller

Did you know that April is "Qi Gong Awareness"month? by Celeste Cooper

Looking Back at IBS by Celeste Cooper

April is Poetry Recognition Month by Celeste Cooper

As we prepare for one of the biggest awareness month, it's only fitting to share a short but important poem that will provide a bridge from April to May.

Pain Facts of an Advocate© by Celeste Cooper 

Fatigue challenges us,

Action defines us.

Collaboration empowers us,

Tenacity unveils us, 

Spirit enlightens us, 

Pain and illness unites “The Advocate”

Preparing for May...

Ribbon Colors for May Awareness:

• Autoimmune Rare Diseases - Black or orange
• Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) - orange
• Fibromyalgia (FM) - Purple
• Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue (ME/CFS) - Blue
• Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS/RSD - Orange with yellow and red
• Ehler's Danlos Syndrome (EDS) - Blue with Black and white stripes on one side
• Chiari Malformation - Purple
• Arthritis - Navy blue
• Allergy 
• Asthma = Gray
• Food = Teal (I have seen varying colors)
• Allergy-sinusitis - I could not find one ribbon for this most important reaction to environmental triggers so I am going with true green to represent the color of common triggers.
• Lyme Disease - Lime Green
• Osteoporosis (OP) - Blue vs white
• Neuropathy - Purple

For everyone who knows what it's like to live with rare, autoimmune, or poorly understood conditions or disease , spoonies, my greatest hope is that you will take up arms by representing this vast community. Change your profile picture and feel free to use the spoon picture to spread the word for all who endure the many effects of chronic pain and illness. Make the choice to be visible. Support your organizations by sharing information, making a donation, encouraging others to make a donation, or offer up a few words of support. 


Whatever it is you have in your wheelhouse, USE IT!

~ • ~ • ~ • ~ • ~ • ~

All answers and blogs are based on the author's opinions and writing and are not meant to replace medical advice.  

Celeste Cooper is a retired RN, educator, fibromyalgia patient, and author of books related to chronic pain and illness. You can read more about Celeste and her work on her Amazon Author Profile, here , or look to the right of this blog for direct links to her work.

April is Poetry Recognition Month by Celeste Cooper

Take a Stand by Celeste Cooper 

Swirling ideas, each significant to plan.

Upholding brave principles and taking a stand.

Provisions of nature and all living things

Gives fortitude, fulfillment of what life can bring.

Taste the climb; take pause, ageless, forever;

Ours for the taking–precious gift to endeavor.

Inherited by forefathers, a guide for our path,

Achievement secured when we learn from the past.

So stand up we shall, securing our position;

When acted on, they are more than conditions.

Comrades, principles, nature, history, at hand

Are the tools that endure when taking a stand.

Excerpt from Broken Body, Wounded Spirit: Balancing the See-Saw of Chronic Pain, SPRING DEVOTIONS, here.

  

"Poetry is writing about yourself waiting

to see what will show up, the words are

the finger points of your soul.”  

~Sandford Lyne, author of

Writing Poetry from the Inside Out

Inner Expression:

 Coping with Pain and Fatigue through Poetry

Coping with chronic pain is challenging. Maintaining forward momentum in the face of unpredictable symptoms and fatigue is daunting.

Poetry is a conduit to our soul, providing energy to hurtle over the many obstacles we meet in life. It provides an endless path by heightening our senses: sight, sound, touch, and smell. It is the feel, the texture, and all that may not be present but is in the mind. Poetry knows no time, no era, no restraints; it is an ever-present expression of self or circumstances through the written word...

~ • ~ • ~ • ~ • ~ • ~

(Signature line appended, March 2018)

In healing,

Celeste Cooper, RN / Author, Freelancer, Advocate

Think adversity?-See opportunity!

http://www.CelesteCooper.com

Minimizing the Consequences of Pain and Illness by Exploring Your Creative Nature through Poetry by Celeste Cooper

Coping with chronic pain and illness is challenging, but self-expression through poetry is a way of diverting pain and minimizing its consequences.

Often thought of as the conduit to our soul, poetry provides us the thought energy we need to hurtle over the obstacles we face. It provides an endless path by heightening our senses, and  gives us texture, coloring us up inside.  In all our books, I give helpful tips for writing poetry, whether it be free form or rhyme, it doesn't make a difference, because we learn about ourselves, regardless.

I can't speak for everyone, but I know how I feel when I write a poem. Sometimes it's a work in progress for months or years, one poem. Sometimes, poetry allows me to explore feelings that are too painful to face, and other times—I am in awe of the words I scribe, they bring me peace because whether I am working through a difficult situation, or embracing the wonders of the world, I know when I'm done, I will feel connected to an inner creativity I only know through poetry.

I love it when the words fly coming together effortlessly, but that isn't always the case — at times — I have to put my words aside or work from a different angle. Writing from our soul may not always be easy, but it is always enlightening.

I hope you will pick up a pencil and a piece of paper. Write down some of your favorite words, you can find them in crossword puzzles, a good book, the dictionary, or make them up; that's the beauty of it. Let your mind float and your hands glide across the paper as the words guide you to a new place, a place hopefully free of pain and illness, but if you need to work that out, you can go there too. Just do it.

Following is a poem I started with four random words: truth, bird, broken, observe. The poem went through several transformations before I felt I created a deep meaning for myself. Some of my poems don't make a word of sense to others, but they don't need to. They are mine, just as your will be yours.

~`~`~`~`

This Is My Truth © by Celeste Cooper

Like a bird with a broken wing,

I can stray off course, my flight pattern disrupted.

Wounded from the fall, I will not judge, because

As a wise owl, I observe, I accept, I understand—

Before I take flight, I need time to mend, plan a new course.

This is my truth.

Imperfection as clear as a broken mirror,

Though broken, goals are transformed.

Seedlings forced into maturity will not thrive.

Accepting that mistakes are the seed, I cultivate.

The broken mirror affords a self-reflection of reality.

This is my truth.

I falter, sometimes wretchedly, but enlightened.

Sweet is the nectar of success—not synonymous to perfection.

Erupting from deep inside a reminder from Edison,

"I did not fail; I found 10,000 ways that won't work."

I accept my imperfections—only then—can I take flight.

This is my truth.

This Is My Truth—Take One

This is my truth

I am thrown off course

Like a bird with a broken wing.

This is my truth.

Imperfection as clear as a broken mirror,

Balance remains in sight,

Only through imperfection can I grow.

Reflection of my imperfection,

Acceptance as truth.

This is my truth.

I fail, sometimes miserably, but

I find my way in acceptance of imperfection.

Success is not possible without learning,

Learning is not possible without mistakes.

This is my truth.

In healing,

Celeste Cooper, RN / Author, Freelancer, Advocate

Think adversity?-See opportunity!

http://www.CelesteCooper.com

Creating an "I Am" Poem

Writing poetry of any kind begins with a spark that ignites feelings, encouraging them to provide light and insight by using our senses, our thoughts, our dreams and our imagination. Poetry is the conduit to your inner self, the one we live with everyday, but otherwise wouldn’t take the time to explore. I encourage you to use your imagination to create characteristics of “Who I Am.”

As a template start and end each line of your poem stanza (paragraph of sorts) with your I am line, then follow with the verbs provided below. Imagine yourself in a particular place, a certain situation, a role, an achievement, an illness etc., build your words from there.

After you do a rough draft, you can go back and change the words to convey your thoughts and feelings. This is free style poetry so you are not limited in your creation. It is totally up to you, as poetry is very personal and self revealing.

I wish I could find the author of this template, so I could thank them, but most of all give them credit. I found it by goggling but no one claims the origin. If anyone happens to know the author of this template, please share.

Following the template is one of my poems as an example.

I am…….

I wonder….

I hear…..

I see…..

I want….

I am….

I am….

I pretend….

I feel….

I touch….

I worry….

I cry….

I am…..

I am…..

I understand….

I say….

I dream…..

I try….

I hope…..

I am…..

I Am Tired not Weary ©

I am tired not weary,

I wonder if you see my pain?

I hear the thumping in my body,

The tunnel beckoning me to the light.

I seek the peace it promises,

I am tired not weary.

I strive to ski the slopes of life,

I feel lifted up by whiteness,

touching the light with my tongue.

I worry it will not last,

I deny the thought of darkness,

I am tired not weary.

I understand I must endure,

I say acceptance is the first step,

Imagining others will understand.

I try to get my point across,

I seek knowledge in truth,

I am tired not weary.

You can read more about how to write poetry, journal and much more in Integrative Therapies for Fibromyalgia,Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Myofascial Pain: The Mind-Body Connection.

(Signature line appended, March 2018)

In healing,

Celeste Cooper, RN / Author, Freelancer, Advocate

Think adversity?-See opportunity!

http://www.CelesteCooper.com

“Listen closely; I hear the sweet sound of existence.”

I Will Not Be Broken- Never Give Up – My Story

My story about why this famous quote means so much to me.

“Many of life's failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up.”-- Thomas Edison

I started therapy in an attempt to overcome depression associated with the loss of work and financial support from a job that I loved and dedicated myself to, nursing. I had no idea I had fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome or chronic myofascial pain. All I knew is that I hurt, couldn’t sleep, and I could no longer remember where things were kept, even at work, remember simple tasks or learn easily like I once had. This cognitive deficit was documented by a neurocognitive exam and I knew I needed help. My then therapist is my now co-author. This book started as an entry in my journal in the year 2000, and was to be an exercise for maintaining what cognitive abilities I had left. Sometime in 2001, I realized I was earnestly putting myself into the project, and it began to morph into something more than journal entries. I took the next three years to research and write the manuscript, much longer than the average person my age, education, and background, but I was glad I had accomplished what I set out to do. Through this process I learned so much about my disorders, how to cope, how to pace, and how not to expect more than I had to give. Those of you reading this know how unpredictable these ugly illnesses can be.

I spent the next twelve to eighteen months looking for a publisher. I read how hard that would be as a first time author, but I had writing experience as an educator and a contributor to the Missouri State Board of Nursing Continuing Education Program. After all, this developing query letters was exercising the half brain I had left. Oh, I got discouraged all right, but I knew it was about having the right product for the right publisher at the right time. I experienced so many rejections, but I learned to handle constructive criticism, which was empowering to me. Then, bingo, I got a taker and a contract with a small publishing house in St. Louis. But the story doesn't end here. The owner passed away 3 months after signing the contract. The family tried to keep it going for the next THREE years. Yes, 3 years. I kept being put off, and could never get hold of my editor, yet I was bound by a contract and I had no money to fight what was happening or join a union that could. Now I had seven years invested and I constantly had to keep the information updated.

In December 2008 I called to see if the typesetter got the final piece he needed, I was due to go to print in 3 weeks. To my great dismay, and I say that VERY lightly, the phone line had been disconnected, and the publisher took down their website. The family closed the doors without warning to any of their pending authors.

I started down that black hole again, first I am so ill I cannot work, then I pour my heart and own health into what I considered to be a way of helping others, which as a caretaker for so many years was important to me. I couldn’t help thinking that maybe this just wasn’t supposed to be. Shot down again by the situation of life. But then I was lifted out, after my pity party, I began to look up.

"If I have seen further it is by standing on the shoulders of giants."--Isaac Newton

If you know me, you know I love quotes from famous or not so famous people. It was the strength I received from remembering those words that led me to understand; this was only a bump in the road. It only took me about another six to ten months (remember my time lines might be a little off, but you get the idea) to find a new publisher. After sending out the manuscript to many and probably over 100 queries, and every publisher has their own idea on how they want things submitted, I hit pay dirt.

My relationship with Inner Traditions/Healing Arts Press was meant to be from the beginning, I just didn’t know it way back when. The WPI discovery came out just in time to get XMRV in the book, though only a small piece, it offers hope. My editor was already on top of it. Two days after I had feverishly sent off the information on XMRV I wanted included, just days before going to the typesetter, my editor also contacted my project manager about this breaking news.

So you see, I am one fortunate lady. I was blessed with a mother and grandmother that believed in the power of persistence and that any voice can make a difference. I have stood on the shoulders of many giants and for them I am grateful.

And now I must honor my mentor, the person who shared time from her life to make me a better writer, and the one who told me to NEVER GIVE UP, Devin Starlanyl. Devin J. Starlanyl is former director of the Fibromyalgia and Chronic Myofascial Pain Institute and is the author, with Mary Ellen Copeland, of Fibromyalgia and Chronic Myofascial Pain: A Survival Manual and The Fibromyalgia Advocate.

My friend, you are one in a million. You see, I am doing my best to pay it forward.

Lamb hugs

I Will Not Be Broken

Though I may bend, you will not break me,
I am determined, you will not flaw my character,
Because of the strength of others bestowed upon me,
I will persevere, this I know about myself.

God, lift me up from the dark hole that may imbibe me,
Continue to show me how to embrace the beliefs of others,
Help me maintain my integrity,
And embrace the universe with resolve.”

Celeste Cooper