All You Can
A reflection on perseverance
You never thought you’d be alone
This far down the line
But I know what’s been on your mind
You’re afraid it’s all been wasted time
- The Eagles
Another day.
Wake up, stretch, exercises:
the familiar routine.
Doing everything you can.
.
Compression sleeve or no?
Tylenol or no?
No and no.
Lets see what happens today.
.
Down the same old supplements.
Marvel how the white bottles
dominate the cabinet now.
Taking everything I can.
.
Usual twinges or new pain?
Loose joint or stiff?
Usual and loose.
Let’s see what happens today.
.
Take comfort
that you’ve done all you can.
Now take a deep breath
and face the Unknown.
.
Feel the familiar sensation
of color draining from your face.
When that routine ache
gives way to new pain.
.
Relive the same thousand fears
wondering how high the bill
and how great the damage this time.
All part of the routine.
.
Stumble home
at the end of the long day.
Tired of the world
and tired of yourself.
.
Feel the same flicker of optimism
as you do the usual rehab.
Maybe it’s not so bad.
At least you know
you’ve done all you can.
.
Today went to hell.
But the day is done.
Maybe tomorrow.
About the Creator
Stephen A. Roddewig
A Bloody Business is now live! More details.
Writing the adventures of Dick Winchester, a modern gangland comedy set just across the river from Washington, D.C.
Proud member of the Horror Writers Association 🐦⬛
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More stories from Stephen A. Roddewig and writers in Poets and other communities.
2014
Author's Note: I wrote this poem at the end of 2014 after reflecting on how the Vietnam War era that I was learning about in a college history class seemed so much more eventful. Then I realized that the past year had just as much tumult; we just don't have the luxury of reading a neat summary of events in a history book. "2014" is an attempt to capture some of the key moments of that year and to offer some perspective on how we tend to tune out bad news in the age of social media.
By Stephen A. Roddewig2 years ago in Poets
When the Robots Took My Job
This is for RM Stockton's Write Club prompt for the month of April: AI Please allow me to vent. For "college," I went to a scam school that is now closed. We were promised internships that were never spoken of again after admissions, and we were promised help finding jobs. The first time I went to the career counselor's office, she was completely frazzled. She had no idea what to do with us, the film majors. The second time I visited her office, I let her know that I'd found myself a job, and she was visibly relieved.
By Rebekah Conard4 days ago in Journal
Comments (7)
Whew….I mean, with any long-term health issue, it can feel overwhelming. This reminds me of the movie Cake, where getting through a day and making a cake was the highlight of this person's life (a person living with chronic pain) I felt this poem
Raw and real. The realities of living with a body that has changed. Never easy. I honour your journey and your sacrifice in sharing. Sending you and all who know this struggle, limitless positive vibes. Wishing you every success and every joy.
I love that this is so honest and real. The ending, “Maybe tomorrow,” says so much about the relatable fight to stay optimistic and hopeful thru chronic pain and suffering.
I have SCA - a progressive degenerative mobility disease - your poem may be sad, buy it's also optimistic in continuing to move and think forward - thank you for sharing this! 💕
Thank you for sharing this. It's raw, real, relatable, and such an important message for everyone. Well done.
This is sad, yet optimistic at the same time. Hang in there.
Take comfort that you’ve done all you can - I love this line. As an RA sufferer, it resonated.