Fighting the Fade

Her shadow is fading
With the days, her breath
Deep drawn it’s a struggle
Each and every day.

She cries out into the night
Is there a point to this hard life
Her blood grows cold, closes her eyes
Will she give up, say goodbye

Holding her tight with all my love
Stroking her head, I’m at her side
Each moment feeding her renewal
In the goddess’ hands I place her

Poet’s Note: Today our kitten Smores passed away. She was a fighter. I wrote this for her. Though her life was short it was filled with love.

Her dying moment, curled in my lap where she crawled to from her heated pad.

Life With Chronic Pain

By Damien Knight

For the past 11 years I been struggling with a list of unusual symptoms. It started soon after my son was born, back pain, numb legs, leg cramping, hip and joints burning. As the years went it has gotten worse. It’s hard on me because as a geology major who wants to work in the field having to walk with a cane bites.

My legs go numb, my skin burns. I always hated being touched. It hurts to be touched. What hurts worse is wanting to hug my kids and the pain is so bad I can’t. I don’t know what’s wrong with my body. We have done test after test. There is no reason my legs are falling asleep and then burning like fire. They found nothing wrong with my back and hips. I started taking Aleve daily which helps dull the pain but not erase it.

Today I stand. Today I walk. Today I hurt. I will push for tomorrow. We will figure this out. In the meantime I remain strong and hopeful.

Invisible

By Damien Knight
When you struggle And your eyes

won’t stay open but you must 

because if you don’t 

You are lazy, and worthless

Being sick, how they accuse
You look fine to me.

My illness is a haunting

A spectre, has me imprisoned 

In my “sound” body

Their judging eyes decieve them 

They don’t see my medicine 

Or know how long since I was 

able to take them

I sleep exhausted by life

A voice mocking my weakness

But I wont cave in.

This is what living is like

With invisible illness

And I am stronger!