Saturday, April 14, 2007

a feather

I am not strong enough to attend poetry workshop today.

I am thinking about people who have severe M.E., those for whom the minute details of life can take on extraordinary significance. I have been deeply moved by the posts on Greenwords’ blog (thanks nmj) and by the following words, which I assume are hers:

“I live in bed and plant flowers under my pillow. They bloom round my head and I pick them for visitors. I’m not tired. Would you like a daisy, a song or a feather?”

8 comments:

The Moon Topples said...

Well, that's simply beautiful.

I know I can't imagine what ME must be like to live with, but all of the sufferers I have met online are such wonderful wordsmiths that I wonder whether there might be a correlation.

nmj said...

I know, Signs, Greenwords is quite amazing in her stoicism and elegant way with words. I don't know how people who have chronic severe ME year after year cope - they have to, I guess. I shudder when I think of my long ago severe times, and thank God (well, fate or whoever should be thanked) that I am now moderate. But, I think whatever your state (mild, moderate or severe), you appreciate the small things.

Reading the Signs said...

Hi Mr. Moon and nmj - I am treading carefully, pretending to be a feather, as M.E. monster is growling in its cage.

Change of season sometimes needs a time of adjustment.

nmj said...

hey signs, greenwords has asked me to thank you kindly for the mention & to let you know those words that you quote are indeed hers! she is not able to blog just now, hideous internet probs, & she emailed me to request i comment on her behalf.

hope you don't get dragged down, yes, seasonal relapse is quite common i think x

Reading the Signs said...

ta, nmj x

greenwords said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
greenwords said...

Hello Reading the Signs, and hello everyone! RTS, I've been wanting to drop by and say thank you so much for the kind mention. I was very touched. I saw it before I went to hospital, it was a lovely distraction from my nerves, but then I had internet problems so I couldn't leave a comment.
I'm sorry it's taken me so long to get here, I've been feeling bad for not being able to say thank you myself much sooner.
(And a special thanks to nmj for posting a comment for me!)

Reading the Signs said...

Greenwords, how lovely to find a message from you - and no apology necessary, it's understood, absolutely. I am so sorry that you have suffered so much with this illness. The last post you put up reminded me how easy it is for the rest of us to take the small lovely things of every day for granted. I hope you will feel strong enough to post again soon - I'll look in to see. Meanwhile, warm wishes to you.