It's Poetry Friday, and Mary Lee Hahn is hosting HERE on her blog, sharing her own shout-out on Independence Day. How can I NOT return after months away, except for the Progressive Poem, after reading Mary Lee's call for us to care for our country!
It was a time, until finally, finally, I saw a rheumatologist who diagnosed me with what is called PMR - a disease in 'mostly' older people that attacks the muscles. Whew! I haven't taken any medicine except vitamins, etc., for a long while. Now, Prednisone has been my saving grace. The pain is gone; I'm back to doing what I want to do, knowing that the hurt in the world still has been, is being, so much harder than I had. Still, I am grateful for the modern medicine world that has so helped me.
It feels like serendipity that you, Mary Lee, are our host today, because I am thankful for one more thing that buoyed my life during the hard days, a postcard sent last year, sitting to greet me every day as I walked into my workroom.
Now, for all of you, too, take Mary Lee's words, and know that not only can we "do hard things", but we must, for our country, our families, for everyone who is in need!
You watch the news
can never look away, and must
do whatever is possible: write, call, donate, then shout
hard words at those who want our silence
things will change by our protests, our action
Linda Baie
Oh, friend. I have missed you and wondered where your words have been. I'm so sorry to hear about the pain of body and backyard. How yucky! If prednisone brings you back to yourself, I'm glad for that. But, geesh, hard things can sometimes be extra hard. The perfect words in your poem are "will change." I cling to that. I hope I get to see it...but even if I don't I will work toward that!
ReplyDeleteWhat an ordeal! I'm glad you're now getting treatment that's helping and that you don't have any negative side effects from the Prednisone. Mary Lee's postcard sits on my desk and has helped me through the past several stressful months. I love that you used these encouraging words to create your poem. (Is it a reverse Golden Shovel? Is there a name for the form?) Yes, we must never look away, must never stop pushing back against the injustice.
ReplyDeleteYAY Linda!!! So glad you are here and that your pain is less painful! Thanks for your powerful poem encouraging us all to keep at it! I have Mary Lee’s postcard prominently placed too! So sorry about your yard, glad that’s behind you too. Apologies for not getting back to back to you recently. Here we go!!! 🌻🦋💙
ReplyDeleteThank you, Linda, Catheine, & Michelle for your kind words. I didn't mention, but no matter what was happening, I kept up with the politics, did what I could online to protest mightily! We must not stop!
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry you've been in pain. Thank you for this poem of resistance.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Marcie, words matter, and I hope we keep on with our resistance through them!
DeleteI'm so glad you've gotten some answers, and more importantly, some relief. I'm honored to have been there (virtually) offering a bit of strength to carry on! Your poem is absolutely spot on. We CAN do hard things and we WILL...because so much depends on it!
ReplyDeleteWell, you know I agree, Mary Lee. Thank you!
DeleteI've missed you, Linda! Glad to hear that prednisone is helping. It has been integral for several members of my family. I hope you get to take a breather from extraneous stressors. Thanks for rallying the troops! I have MaryLee's postcard on my fridge. Always good words to hear. xo
ReplyDeleteThank you for the wishes, Tabatha. I need to find a good gardener to bring my yard back to "better", but the service I had put it back in fair shape, so I am not in a hurry! I'm focusing on doing some work like letters and emails to those in DC right now. Yes, Mary Lee's words have served and continue to serve us wonderfully!
DeleteDear Linda,
ReplyDeleteThe poem is PERFECT!
You have been doing hard things over & over & over these past months. And you have been very missed. I'm beyond smiling to see you in your lovely space here again. So many appreciations for having the grit to get thru what you did & to return to us.
[on a Med. note, Prednisone returned to me the ability to write by hand, use my hands for anything, such as opening a door, reducing a side-effect swelling that made them into sausages, after I began an infusion treatment for cancer in fall 2021. Still being treated for cancer, often thriving, sometimes not, but the hands began working again & I was tapered down on Prednisone - still an impt. part of my health thriving kit. I'm so glad you had good treatment & you had the resiliency to weather your health storm. Appreciations for sharing. HUGS.XX
I was out most of yesterday, Jan, and appreciate your welcoming very much, and the news from you about your own struggles, wishing you better every day!
DeleteGlad to hear you have found some relief. What an ordeal. And thank you for your poem. Yes, we must remember that we can do hard things. Take care, Linda.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Rose, indeed we all "together" will get it done!
DeleteLinda, my dear friend, I have missed you so much and felt that there was a serious reason for your silence for these past months. It is wonderful that you found the time and energy to join your voice with the PR writers' voices. Life is full of challenges and hard things but there is hope in your words: things will change by our protests, our action. My thoughts and prayers will include you this weekend. May your pain be minimized.
ReplyDeleteOh, Carol, I know that you've had your heartbreak during this time, and have been sending my own prayers for you! Thank you!
DeleteThank you, Linda. Prayers matter. I wish you well. Matt F Esenwine asked me to join him for a presentation at NCTE in November. He also invited Allan Wolf and Georgia Heard. I am honored to be part of the team. The conference is in Denver. Will you be attending? If not is there a place I could meet up with you?
DeleteThat's great that you'll be presenting with Matt, Carol. I just found out about NCTE here. I'm sure there will be some way to get together! No, I won't be attending, but we'll work something out!
DeleteLinda, yay! I'm so glad you're back! I'm grateful that you've gotten some medical answers and relief, and that you've made it through several hard things. Thanks for your poem, but thank you mostly for being back! PS I'm attending NCTE in Denver in November. Hope I can see you then!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Laura, I didn't know about NCTE in Denver, will do my best to connect!
DeleteOh, Linda, I've missed you, friend! Ugh, so many hard things to deal with at once. I'm so glad you're getting some relief from the pain and that you have an actual diagnosis. Your poem is perfection.
ReplyDeleteMeant to add: I also really & truly sympathize with such a major plumbing problem. We've been through similar messes and I'm so sorry! Indoor plumbing is fabulous until it doesn't work (and suddenly demands big bucks.) Also meant to say that I follow you on Bluesky and can always cheer for what you post over there. xo
ReplyDeleteThanks for all the kind words, Karen. It's been a time! I am fortunate to have found a good and supportive doctor, and also fortunate that the plumbing problem did not damage anything in my home. Now, I'm on to finding a good gardener to fix it! After the recent and horrible tragedy in Texas, my struggles seem little, however. I am so sad for all their loss.
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