Laura’s Pen performs a chronic illness poem about the misconceptions healthy people sometimes have about her life…
This is a chronic illness poem I’ve written called “What if?”, which is a response to people who say things like: “It must be nice not having to go to work” when you are unable to because you are chronically ill.
I’m quite lucky, in that this has only been very occasionally been said to me. But I have discovered through my support groups that it really is not uncommon. Many people seem to be under the illusion that it must be enjoyable being stuck at home all day, when really someone with chronic illness would love to be out working and leaving the house as they wish.
Anyway, here is my chronic illness poem “What if?”. Hope you enjoy…
Or, if you’d prefer to read:
What if?
A poem about chronic illness by Laura Chamberlain
You say
It must be nice sitting at home all day.
Sitting in your comfy clothes,
Drinking tea with your Netflix dose.
I say
It must be nice going to work without breaking, quaking, shaking
Because your legs are weak and your mind.. your mind.. won’t think.
You say, but hey, at least life isn’t stressful
Sleeping all day,
I could do with a break.
I say, but hey, what if it was everyday?
What if every time you rest
After watching TV
You could feel your dreams slipping away?
What if you watched friends travel and party and smile
From a screen on your lap
While you cuddled the cat?
What if your stress was proving your illness
To contracted assessors?
And planning your day so rests
Take up most of your “waking” hours?
What if…
This wasn’t just a break from work?
A much needed rest?
Or a bout of flu?
What if…
It was every day
That you sat at home
And watched your life slip away?
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