The Green Ribbon



It’s silent.
It doesn’t make an announcement.
It creeps around undetected and makes your body its endowment.
It’s brutal.
It can shut you down for weeks.
It can steal your joy, your memory and then you’re frozen until it peaks.
It’s scary.
It can make you think you’re dead.
It cripples your body and crosses the  blood-brain barrier in your head.
It’s sarcastic.
It makes you a medical punch line.
It tricks the labs and doctors into telling you you’re “just fine.”
It’s exhausting.
But not the kind a nap can cure.
No amount of sleep or rest can combat what your body will endure.
It’s emotional.
It can sort of feel like mourning.
Like the death of someone close to you when they die without a warning.
It’s toxic.
It can ruin your whole life.
It can make you wish your days away and keep you up all night.
It’s violent.
It can wreak havoc on every system.
It will slowly start to tear you down and make you a helpless victim.
It’s a scandal.
Some say it’s biological warfare.
But somewhere balls were dropped and now we’re paying for this nightmare.
It’s manic.
It can make you think you’re crazy.
Friends will call you a drag and your family will call you lazy.
It’s poison.
It’s like everyday you have the flu.
But soup and fluids and Advil won’t touch the pain this puts you through.
It’s heartbreaking.
Most days you’ll just exist.
You’ll research all the herbs, protocols and pray for a literate specialist.
It’s tricky.
You think that something is finally working.
You’ll start to feel amazing and then your body goes into herxing.
It’s vicious.
It’s like the song that never ends.
It might disappear for some time but it always comes back again.

About this poem

This lyric poem is about the everyday struggles of someone with Lyme disease.

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Written on March 07, 2023

Submitted by Ashvs4285 on March 13, 2023

Modified by Ashvs4285 on March 14, 2023

1:42 min read
30

Quick analysis:

Scheme AAABCCDEEFGGHIIBHHFJKALLBMMFDDNOOHPQDHFRST
Closest metre Iambic pentameter
Characters 1,740
Words 340
Stanzas 1
Stanza Lengths 42

Ashley Smith Williams

I am a 37 year old SAHM and I enjoy cooking, reading and writing. more…

All Ashley Smith Williams poems | Ashley Smith Williams Books

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2 Comments
  • AIDA
    Wow, this poem really captured the harsh reality of living with a chronic illness. Your use of language effectively conveyed the physical and emotional toll this condition takes on a person. You also brought attention to the frustration of not being taken seriously by medical professionals, which is unfortunately such a common experience for those with chronic illnesses.

    If I could offer a suggestion, it would be to include more specific details about the illness you are depicting. While the poem is relatable to those with any chronic illness, highlighting some of the unique symptoms or challenges of a particular condition could help to raise awareness and educate others.

    Thank you for sharing your powerful words and shedding light on an important topic. Keep up the great work!
     
    LikeReply 11 year ago
  • Soulofdivya
    Wonderful read!please could you check out my poem ‘Death of Companionship’ and tell me what you think.Also check out my poetry blog @soulofdivya on Instagram.Manu thanks!
    LikeReply 11 year ago

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"The Green Ribbon" Poetry.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 25 Apr. 2024. <https://www.poetry.com/poem/154043/the-green-ribbon>.

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