Inside the Noose
No Magic Bullet Nor Benevolent Pistols
I’m a ghost who haunts this house
An ephemeral shadow of myself
Either subdued and quiet as a mouse
Or angry, loud, and sick of this poor health
💠💠💠
My life has become a wild yo-yo
Full of the wrong sort of bounce
My life, my new status quo
Ever anticipating pain’s cruel pounce
💠💠💠
A mystery: from whence it comes, or where it goes
No matter what, I can’t shake it loose
Gotta learn to live with it, I suppose
Get comfy with my neck inside the noose
💠💠💠
Desperate enough to try anything
From Accu-tap-tap-tapping to herbs and crystals
A long road of seeking, dealing, carrying
No magic bullet nor benevolent pistols
💠💠💠
Through this pain, fatigue, and fog is perseverance
Soul’s stubborn determination a saving grace
Such a cruel irony that from my appearance
You’d never guess, not even from my face
💠💠💠
We Fibro sufferers often look so well
Only a wince, a soft cry, or a stiff posture gives a clue
That our lives can frequently feel like utter hell
Neither specialists nor loved ones know what to do
💠💠💠
Solace in company with fellow sufferers a great help
Be they friends or strangers in online forums
My gratitude for the kindness and advice deeply felt
Such support and camaraderie keep at bay deadly doldrums
💠💠💠
Life to be lived from minute to minute
All plans to remain loose
To go with the flow, implicit
The essential key to securing a truce
💠💠💠
[Author's Note: Hi everyone. I've missed being on Vocal for a while. This poem is inspired by my being newly diagnosed with Fibromyalgia ... a condition with no cure nor treatment--at least not in the UK's health system. I'm in a position of having to feel my way forward and try to find things that help my symptoms. This has inspired me to begin on a new 'Soul Poetry Series' book, this one will be called 'Fibro Soul' ... at least, that's it's working title right now. The image at the top is one I plan to design into a book cover. I'd love to know what you think of this first poem. Thank you for reading! Hugs, Harmony 💕😊]
For any of you interested, you can find my collection of Soul Poetry on Amazon in ebook and paperback via this universal link:
I have a second, related poem, which you’ll find in the embedded link below. This one is entered into, and inspired by, Vocal’s Dancing With Distraction challenge.
About the Creator
Harmony Kent
The multi-genre author who gets write into your head
I began writing at 40 after a life-changing injury. An avid reader & writer, I love to review & support my fellow authors.
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Comments (36)
So sorry to hear of your diagnosis. This was a great, thoughtful and emotive piece. Thanks for sharing your story!!
Hello, I'm a fellow fibro woman here. It does suck. And doctors here in the UK are terrible at using it as a cover for anything they can't diagnose. I can relate to your poem, it's well-written and poignant. Great piece.
An extraordinarily vivid and poignant poem, Harmony. Love to you.
I completely understand where you are coming from. While I don't have fibromyalgia, I do have severe neuropathy from a failed back surgery three years ago. Basically, most of the time I can't be touched on my left side without feeling like I am being electrocuted. Some days being a battle more than others. Your words definitely felt familiar, especially about the pain being invisible to others and your face hiding it. I have a tendency to cuss a lot when the pain strikes. I believe it helps so that's all that matters (haha). Anyway, thank you for sharing!
Ah Harmony, I don't envy the pain and suffering you go through on a daily basis. Sorries don't fix it, but I am sorry you deal with this. I appreciated the honesty and emotion in this piece and look forward to more in this series. And I am in love with the cover pic!! Congratulations on Top Story, so glad it received recognition and hopefully spreads awareness about suffering in silence with medical conditions.
I am so sorry to hear this, I could feel your pain and suffering through the poem...I hope that it will get better soon and I am here to support you!
So sorry to hear this, but I loved your poem and I can relate to your struggle. 💕 I don’t want to offend with this but I can’t recommend this woman’s work enough for improving pain. Hope it helps ❤️ https://youtube.com/@theworkoutwitch
Beautiful poem
I really feel for you Harmony, and I sense your pain through the words in your poem. I care for someone who has Fibromyalgia, and it is a painful condition to live with. Your feelings are reflected through out your poem. You have my full support and love.
Congratulations on your Top Story and Thanks for sharing this meaningful narrative✨💖🎉📝
I don't suffer from this myself but I understand the pain that many suffer because I have seen the effects in those I love. Your poem perfectly speaks to the pain and hopelessness felt by so many. Congrats on Top Story.
I'm sorry that your journey has turned into a battle now. The poem was beautiful and heart breaking. Line "Get comfy with my neck inside the noose" hit differently for me after I read the authors note. I love the way you channelled your thoughts and feelings into this beautifully written poem. Congratulations on Top Story, I think you are more than well-deserving of it! Take care! 💜
I'm so sorry to hear you have to deal with this, Harmony. You've written a beautiful poem about it, though and I'm glad about that. Congratulations on a well-deserved Top Story award.
So very sorry for your pain and your diagnosis, Harmony! This poem was a beautiful expression and I thank you for sharing it! I hope you find relief, and in the mean time, I'm grateful you are able to process through writing!
Excellent poetry I loved it! Keep up the amazing work 🤩🤩😍
Nice job
Excellent work
And congrats on the TS
This is wonderfully written. Sorry for your pain.
Sorry for your suffering but these are wonderful words. Congratulations on your Top Story
Ah, Harmony. This is beautiful. I am sorry that you are suffering with this - I know, as I said, because my wife suffers from M.E.. This was so relatable. I wanted to say though, that, what I really really really love about this poem is that it's so eloquently and skillfully written. I love the acu-tap-tap bit, that made me smile through the sadness of it all and the way you mix in recognisable symptoms and associated effects of the condition, but not so they stick out. Well done on a much deserved Top Story!
Congratulations to you top story
Your poem is moving, Harmony. I'm so sorry this is part of your life and admire your persistence to find answers. A new collection of poems from you is very welcome.
I'm so sorry about your diagnosis but I'm glad you're moving forward in a positive way; finding things to help with your symptoms and a poetry book. That would would be a beautiful cover for the book. As for your poem, it was very deep and profound. Many would find it relatable as we all do go through life with a noose around our neck in one way or another. Do take care of yourself, Harmony!
So sorry for your suffering, Harmony. Your poem speaks volumes for your condition and your steadfastness in its face.