Friday, May 21, 2010

MEattitude

ok, there are other things, but why shouldn't I be a little selective with the truth now and then, or even most of the time? In other less uplifting news, my blood tests are showing that there is movement of the inauspicious kind in the area of one of my several autoimmune malfunction conditions (PBC) and this does not come as much of a surprise as symptoms have been sabre-rattling. I have to ask myself whether swimming (in chlorine) is serving or exacerbating. I am craving sugar and have eaten most of the sweets Son brought back from India. I am sick and tired of trying to negotiate with M.E. so try to behave as though it isn't there (I don't care how ill you make me feel, you bastard, I'm not giving you my attention, talk to the arse, the face isn't listening). Obviously this involves a high degree of self-deception but there's nothing wrong with that if it gets you through - and it sometimes does.

In other much better news, I have written a poem I am terrifically pleased with. I must admit that so far this year has not been particularly encouraging. I used to be able to truthfully say that in sending work out I had almost a hundred per cent success rate, but this was only because I sent so little out of what I'd written. Since January I have sent a number of different things off that have either been rejected or ignored. I am telling myself that this poem is going to turn things around and get me a resounding yes. Admittedly I have felt this before and nothing much happened - but also I have felt this before and something did. And the writing must go on, one way or another.

I am going to March for M.E. in London on Monday. It won't help to dwell too long on logistics beforehand, but I'm thinking of trying to get one of those tiny folding gardening stools to bring along - because of all the standing around. And I'd quite like to have a banner to wave around, make me feel as though I'm doing something - although really the point is just to turn up.

7 comments:

Cusp said...

A mixed bag then.

I do admire your forititude and am so glad that you are really pleased with your latest poem.

I'll be thinking of you on Monday. Wish I was brave and hardy enough to get up there too. Give 'em hell ;O)

I'll try to ensure the Gods are smiling on you.

Mim said...

I bet your new poems is a good one! I trust your judgement.

The banner must be a light one.

I too have medical problems and frequently ask the same kind of questions that add up to: What did I do?
Oh, hell, it's not all traceable to my actions.

Good luck on the march!
Mim

Zhoen said...

(o)

trousers said...

What Cusp says.

(I seem to be in one of those modes of reading and then not being able to articulate a response and staring at the comment box for ages, but anyway Cusp has pretty much summed it up)

Reading the Signs said...

Cusp, it's a lot nearer for me than for you! Not sure what is supposed to be happening, see when I get there.

Mim, it isn't really the done thing here to call one's own work good - but on this one I do trust my judgement.

Hosen - hi - I know what you mean - and sometimes find that leaving a (o) as Zhoen has done actually speaks eloquently enough.

Collin Kelley said...

I've had a number of rejections this year, which has been strange, but I am undaunted. You just have to keep sending it out there. I am sending love and positive thoughts for your health. I'm back in the UK in July guest lecturing at Worcester College in Oxford about social media. I hope to be down in London and Kent at some point, too. Would love to see you again!

Reading the Signs said...

Collin, yes lets do that! Can't offer any gigs this time, but would love to come and hear you read.