Chronic existence

You walk in the valley of sorrow

not seeing the beauty of this world

all around the colours are muted

you don't see the flowers that bloom

there's nothing but you and this ball of

heartache , anger and confusion

dulling the daylight hours

and destroying the peace of sleep

there's no escape

you sit and you think hour after hour

everything becomes a chore 

even dressing for the day

the brushing of teeth seems

too much effort

surely it will get better

but each day brings more despair

that hollow feeling inside spreads

there's a darkness taken over

that you never knew existed

Friends don't visit you anymore

they lead their lives 

they don't feel the pain like you do

filling your hours with meaningless things

wishing things would go back to how they used to be

but that's the one thing that won't happen

your life will never be the same

chronic pain has a hold of you

talons sharp, it grips on tight

not letting go , never letting go

Each person who says you look fine

each doctor who says it's all in your head

cuts deep, like the lash of a whip

lacerating your skin , leaving you bloody and torn

laying you wide open for others to peck

told you so... told you so....

only you will ever know the depth of your misery

pain pulls you under, time and time again

until you feel like you're drowning

but you don't drown, your pain and despair

continue day after day with

no escape and no hope

© L Conway 2022