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a poem about hep C
A surprise email showed up in my inbox from a woman asking permission to reprint a poem I wrote and posted here in 2007, after my first interferon treatment. I'd forgotten about it entirely. Hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed rediscovering it.
The Invaders
Well hidden in the darkness, they multiplied prodigiously.
For a long time they went unnoticed.
I lived my life oblivious to their existence.
Then I came to know. They would not leave.
Our symbiotic relationship was over.
Like in my garden, I tried the organic approach.
But they had already weakened my liver. I had no choice.
Out came the big guns.
Annihilation or friendly fire?
No choice.
I followed the path to their destruction and my own resurrection.
I took the shot, swallowed the coral oval pills.
The blanket fell over me, pushing me to the back of the funnel.
Reluctantly, I surrendered.
My body and the poisons went to work.
Horizontally, a mass of flesh and bone.
The mind racing, undulating, rotating.
Syntax disconnected.
Confusion, delusion, transformation.
Again and again, the needle pierced the skin.
I hung to the string attached to myself like a child with a hot air balloon.
Watching ,removed yet connected.
The weeks wore away until the number said stop.
Emerging, vision expanded, peripheral accompanied by personality.
Wings sprouting.
Now, I stand. Free.
The Invaders
Well hidden in the darkness, they multiplied prodigiously.
For a long time they went unnoticed.
I lived my life oblivious to their existence.
Then I came to know. They would not leave.
Our symbiotic relationship was over.
Like in my garden, I tried the organic approach.
But they had already weakened my liver. I had no choice.
Out came the big guns.
Annihilation or friendly fire?
No choice.
I followed the path to their destruction and my own resurrection.
I took the shot, swallowed the coral oval pills.
The blanket fell over me, pushing me to the back of the funnel.
Reluctantly, I surrendered.
My body and the poisons went to work.
Horizontally, a mass of flesh and bone.
The mind racing, undulating, rotating.
Syntax disconnected.
Confusion, delusion, transformation.
Again and again, the needle pierced the skin.
I hung to the string attached to myself like a child with a hot air balloon.
Watching ,removed yet connected.
The weeks wore away until the number said stop.
Emerging, vision expanded, peripheral accompanied by personality.
Wings sprouting.
Now, I stand. Free.
Wow! That is powerful - and sooo descriptive. Thanks for sharing. Pat
PS. Hope you are doing well.
PS. Hope you are doing well.
WOW! This is so good. I loved it, I could feel the journey
Thanks so much for sharing !
Take Care, Dee
Thanks so much for sharing !
Take Care, Dee
That's so moving. I think we are each touched in a different way. It brought back very uncomfortable memories of interferon based Tx and how so lucky we are to have an alternative now! You are a wonderful writer. Is this something that you do often? If not u should
Namaste
Deb
Namaste
Deb
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