Thread: Making Lemonade

Lisa-I joined this Forum to learn how to write and to earn the right to call what I write Poetry--But I have learned sooo much more-I have learned about courage in the face of mind breaking trials, I have learned about laughter when tears would have been justified and I have learned about a person who is so giving-when so much has been taken away.You have gifts my friend-beautiful rare gifts-Thank you for sharing those precious gifts with me. I still have so much to learn-and I am looking forward to learning wonderful lessons from you.

It's funny and sad, and I can identify with the stanza:

we prefer dry eyes
in this stilted house
the fire's burned out
it's pointless to douse

and the humour I find among something of a tragedy in the lines:

"led by a blind surgeon
they neglected to guide

with scalpels, staples
and radioactive scans
that left me uncured
but with glowing hands"

follows through to such a positive ending.

I really enjoyed reading this, thanks for sharing!

Sorry for the delay, guys, I'm so far behind with everything.

Dearest Jul, You know your name is a perfect fit, right? I am honored by your words, love. As for for lessons, there's so much to be learned here and any help I can offer is a gift to me. As I was taught all right here, it seems only decent to pass what I've learned along. Anything for you, any time, and that's a promise.


Dear Patricia, I'm so elated you enjoyed, but would have preferred you couldn't relate to that particular stanza. I'm sorry that you could, really. As for tragic, yep, it was, but I've moved forward because I had no other option. I always jokingly said my surgeon was both blind and drunk for the mess he made of me, but honestly, I think they let the residents practice on me, they were all so sure I'd check out. Guess I showed them. lol.

Thank you so much my dear ladies.

Best,
Lisa

Chester, I always enjoy reading your work and this piece is no exception. Your resilience astounds me, you have an amazing strength that I find humbling. This work succeeds in arousing compassion but not sympathy and I get the distinct impression that you don't appreciate anyone feeling sorry for you which I completely respect and can relate to. In fact, I find something to relate to in most of your work. I suffer from fibromyalgia so I find my daily life has changed so much in the the last few years from my very active lifestyle but reading your work often gives me a sense of perspective and makes me immensely grateful for what I have insteading of mourning what I've lost. There is a time for mourning but you remind me that it cannot be allowed to dominate. Thank you.

I always tell my wife or son (and I am no saint) whenever they start to "go off" about someone they don't know that they have no idea what is going on in a persons life to cause them to act the way they act. People we randomly encounter on a daily basis or through the internet are by and large strangers to us yet we often attempt to paint them all with one brush and the same color paint. I do not know you Lisa, but I do appreciate all of the kind words I've always received from you and having said that, because of your kindness and joy that you seem to have, I would never have known that you had health issues. People often judge others without knowing them. As a child I was a victim of this many times over. I always tried to use humor as a way to ignore or deal with problems and I guess I still do. There are some who would argue that I shouldn't do that but I disagree. Laughter is the best medicine. Keep your sense of humor and continue to write poetry like this for us to enjoy. Best of luck to you.
Mark.

WOW! In my sixties with arthritis and lung disease, I can really relate! It's like you wrote that for me! Yep, inside I am young, but no one sees it but me ... and my sweet hubby. After you're married long enough to grow old together, the beauty you see is no longer the body, but the eternal mind. Right on! Needless to say, I lovvvvvve your poem! Thanks for sharing!

I was just rereading your poem, then the explanation of your trials, which I'd missed first time around. And to pour acid on your wounds, you lost you health insurance! How I wish I could make your problems disappear. Someone with your insights and perspective on life deserves just the opposite of what's been done to you. If you can keep your humor, then I'm more than encouraged, just to know it's possible. Thank you for sharing. I have saved the poem, and it will remain very special.

Lisa, with the things that have been going on, I immediately focused more on what lay beneath. And suddenly, I feel the weight of my selfishness and ingratitude crushing me. You've gone through so much, yet you retain your humour. And to think we actually enjoy your poetry, I disgust myself. I'm humbled Lisa, truly. You've taught me courage, that God gives us the strength to deal with problems when they come and if He afflicts us with pain, it's so that we may grow stronger. My problems are nothing, I'm only being selfish and ungrateful. I salute you for your strength, and hope God grants you the best. Lots of love.

Lisa, had no idea what you were goin' through or I would never have sent that stupid "Ode to a Rectum" ditty.

Anyways, good on yer for such brave spirited verse. You are an inspiration to all those in difficult circumstance.

My hope is they come up with new technology to fix you up completely, imagine that!

You in Queens and I play guitar so here's a little ditty I wrote some years ago ...might still be good for a sly smile?

With a face like that
and a body to go,
she's a dream in tight fitting jeans.

but safer I'll be
with an old guitar,
and some cat with a fiddle in Queens.

...ian