The Ties that Bind (15 months in) By Ruby Engel
The Ties that Bind (15 months in)
By Ruby Engel
People say I look okay
But I don’t really feel that way
There’s so much that is wrong with me
I wish you could just look and see
I never know from day to day
If I can keep my symptoms at bay
“Aren’t you better?” I often get asked
Friends and family are aghast
When I say, “No, I’ve not improved”
Long COVID does not want me to”
They don’t understand, it’s been so long
They think “alive” means “recovered” – they are wrong
There are still remnants of the old me
They’re frayed and tattered like a flag by the sea
Imprisoned by this uninvited guest
Who appears to be on a quest
To win this war I never waged
And has made me feel so aged
I’m trying hard to resume life
But many days bring only strife
When you can’t think or walk or move
How can you get back in the groove?
Often I’m able to get some things done
But then a switch flips and the juice is gone
It always happens in just a flash
One moment’s fine, the next I crash
Sleep does not help the fatigue I feel
It doesn’t seem to help me heal
Long COVID really takes a toll
It’s an endless game of Whack-A-Mole
Every time I have success
New symptoms pop up to make me stress
But I won’t give up – I’ll whack away
Until I will be able to say
“Haha! I win! You lost the game
And though I may not feel the same
I’m me, I’m back! You can’t have me forever
Long COVID be banished – these binds I now sever!