Three Years Today / The Circle

Three Years today 
Friday, 10 July 2020
the journey!
my roads twisted,
I remember that day,
up, dressed, 
calipers on, 
ready to go.
where I was, 
what I was doing, 
plans for the day, 
the mission I had. 
That first day in pieces,
seeing the destruction 
  of Stroke, 
ten minutes later 
  I'd be driving.

Reflecting
times, places,
the faces,
so many faces
  there for me,
the Journey since.

 
The Circle 

I never liked exercise, 
do anything to avoid. 
Why?  I was happy,
comfortable, 
I walked, got around, 
had a car, nothing 
  stopped me. 
Stroke changed all that. 
To get back to where I'd been, 
the people I need to do that,
relying on them.

Day to day,
somehow, our lives
  revolving, revealing
  to each other.
Their health issues too.
They, a part of me,
somehow, I guess
me a part of them.

Their jobs, my routines,
humour to get us through.
I love them all for
the help they give,
for a distance travelled,
for a path, strides taken.
For all they are individually;
their personalities,
what's happening
in their lives.
We are as a 'family',
we are to each other.

They relying on me, 
they look out for me, as
  I look out for them, 
if I give up I let them down. 
We need each other.

Reviews

[Julian]

This piece is very meaningful to me, as one of my dearest friends, Robyn, a young woman who is a phenomenal artist and who made her living from her art, was hit with three strokes in one year- nearly ending her life. For most of the following year, she struggled to become mobile again, and still struggles with some degree of aphasia; but like you, she strives to never give up, to rely on others when needed, to rest her mind and body when it is needed. She has also found playing the Native American flute to have a healing effect on her, a calming and empowering exercise. You conveyed so much of what she has described to me, and you did it well. Will pray for you and hope the best for you going forward.

[Richard M]

Thank you Julian for reading and commenting. I felt so to record my situation and feelings on my Stroke, that I remember the journey. Thank you also for telling me of Robyn and her devastating story. I'm glad she has found her own form of healing and hope that she may be able to resume her art. For me, writing poetry was my way to reconnect, although initially all my words, thoughts, etc took time to come back.

I thank you for your thoughts of me in my recovery, as I will remember Robyn and pray for her.
Thank you for reading my friend. My best wishes to Robyn.

Richard

[Betty Hermelee]

Dear Richard, a very moving poem you have crafted, just when you plan ahead for the day or the week, something dreadful happens and your world changes completely... you cannot do the same activities you did before.... and you must rely on others to do them for you.... but I think if you have enough loving support, you can get on with your life; improve to where you have a quality of life and that's what counts.
Very honest and poignant.
Warmly, B

[Richard M]

Dear Betty
Thank you for reading and always for your comments and insights. A very difficult time for myself and my family. Very difficult also, as you say, in accepting dependency after a life of independence. The journey long, but a profound one too; learning a lot about me and other people. I have a wonderful team of people around me and 'getting there' (another of my poems) slow by slow, but progress.
Take care my friend and thank you.
Richard

[Betty Hermelee]

You're very welcome Richard, I enjoy the honesty of your work
Warmly, B

[Richard M]

Thank you Betty 😃

[Chris Shaw]

Dear Richard, great to see a posting from you. Three years, quite an anniversary for you to remember. Couldn’t have been easy for you at all my friend. Hard to have to relie on others for help after such a life changing event. We all need to look out for others, it is a compassionate thing to do. How are you doing now? Sending you very best wishes.

Chris

[Richard M]

Hi Chris

Yes, three and a half years now, and a long journey, but getting there slow by slow, but to reflect how far I've come in that time. Not easy and needing to depend on others (drives me crazy), but have wonderful people around me, and my Physios are just amazing. I'm up and walking (assisted), but I am moving. Although frustrated and restless, I am happy and now getting out and involved again; coffee with two mates weekly and Rotary every Thursday. Have just got printed, my third poetry collection, 'Tapestry 3 ~ Elysium ~' Am very excited! Often remember the time in Rehab (after the Stroke) when poetry and all words and woodcraft disappeared all together. SO happy it found me again.

Hope you and yours are well my friend?
Stay safe.

Richard 4

[redd Brick Keshner]

Life after Stroke has been very rarely represented in poetry or shared and this poem actually opens up that world and widens the Reader's horizons. Thanks ever so kindly.

[Richard M]

Thank you Red for reading and your insight. Stroke, for me, has been such a long journey and my recovery (still in progress) started on another level, because of my disability. I want, with my poetry, to somehow record and remember this journey.
Thanks for stopping by.
Have a great day my friend.
Richard