Hi I would like to introduce myself

Everyday living
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I am a grumpy, old, unhealthy. Welshman and amateur literary genius, oops! I meant to say, amateurish literal ignoramus, or is that the same thing, I’m not sure.

I’ve taken up writing, as a way to help me bring into focus and clarify, some of what are often very confusing, and sometimes conflicting emotions. I’ve found, that trying to put into words, what can be almost overwhelming thoughts and feelings, has greatly helped me come to terms with, and deal with them.

So I thought to introduce myself, with a poem.

Alone on my bed with cans on my head

With each change of track I’m journeying back

Through the melodies so many memories

Before my body broke and betrayed me

It’s fun for a while and I even smile

But fading too fast this ghost from a past

That’s Amorphous and ancient and long dead.

With eyes opened wide the cans put aside

Sitting I’m silent just for a moment

I’m searching to see that man who was me

But all I can find when looking behind

Disease came to stay and I went away

And Left in that space a man with no face

A stranger inside who’s frequently lied

The end of the night and cans out of sight

Time to look forward and to move onward

Through all of that pain new strength I did gain

No longer afraid of any path laid

I’ll look at her straight that mistress of fate

On her shifting sand I’ll make my stand

Fearless I’ll fight with all of my might

3 Likes
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Hello Steve,

I’m very pleased to meet you.

I am also grumpy, old, unhealthy and suffer from delusions of adequacy. Poetry is not my medium of choice for expressing myself but your words resonate precisely with my attitude towards this uninvited guest of my body.

Having a mother who was Welsh, and a poet to boot, I think I have enough genetic material to appreciate your writing. I look forward to reading more of your work.

See you around.

Anthony

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hi steve

your poem rang bells for me.

my greatest regret was not appreciating rude health when i had it.

the tunes that bring back memories of better times - made my own compilation for in the car.

keep writing

carole x

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Thanks so much for your welcome Anthony .

Yr oedd eich mam Cymru, shamefully that’s about the limit to my grasp of my own language, translation – mam (mother) was welsh – as all the best mothers are, mine was not a poet, just a lovely lady, that I loved deeply.

I’m really glad that you were able to take something from my writing. I really think that words are far too blunt to adequately express emotions. It’s like trying to cut bread with an old rusty knife, not impossible, but the resulting uneven wedges you end up with, makes lousy bacon sandwiches.

Art, music, and dance are much better. While I’m loathe to admit that I lack any talents whatsoever, I have to be honest, that my cat when he throws up on the carpet, displays more artistic prowess than I could ever hope to achieve. When it comes to music, I’m probably the world’s foremost experts at listen to it, but present me with a piece of sheet music or an instrument, there’s less chance that I would know what to do with them, than an invitation to run against Usain Bolt. Dance, I was a brilliant dancer, (not), with my left leg rooted to the floor as if it were bolted on, allowing my right to very gently step forward and back very occasionally. My arms could sway a little, but never more than a few inches, but the head movement was my pride and joy, as it bobbed to and fro like one of those drinking ducks.

Unfortunately it seems I’m stuck with the rusty knife and my uneven wedges, never mind, after all a bacon sandwich, is a bacon sandwich, stick a bit of tomato ketchup on it, and it can still be quite tasty!

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Hi Carole,

For a long time after diagnosis, I listened to music with sadness and sense of loss, it reminded me of the person I used to be, and knowing I could never return to him, was difficult for me to come to terms with at the time a wrote that poem.

I’ve moved on since, and although I think that I will never fully lose that loss, I’ve learned to accept it, and embrace the new me that I am now.

Music is important to me, don’t know what I’d do without it. I too have my favourite tracks and albums on my PC, my tablet, and phone. I’m never too far from a musical journey through time and space.

1 Like
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Good morning Steve, and welcome friend

i am not that old but feel ancient. Certainly grumpy and too reflective on occasions. I like your poem. I am not a poet, but sometimes believe that I have amazing ability in hidden depths that I just haven’t found yet…or maybe not.

another grey and cool day up north, but my attitude is way better then on Monday, so onwards and upwards x

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Ooh, and I’m not welsh although I have lived there and consider myself an honourary welsh rugby supporter, although this doesn’t seem to extend to football for some reason. That said I was still pleased when Bale scored…sorry didn’t mean to digress to football, I want them both to go through.

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Hello Steve, I have just returned from a short holiday in Llandudno What a beautiful place and it`s people too.

But we hardly heard much of a Welsh accent…just a couple of times.

It seems that bit of Wales isnt terribly Welsh, but alll the road and street signs are in yyour native language.

I would`ve loved to hear Welsh spoken. We had dabble at reading signs, but we probably got it way wrong…hardly any vowels, are there?

The weather was incredibly good…whilst areas close to us, were drenched in rain, when we bathed in sunshine.

Llandudno bay must be so sheltered and have a micro climate all to itself.

Will defo be going again.

I also love music and singing…even tho` my voice isnt a great singing one! But I wont let that stop me!

Yep, I was also struck down in my prime, by a crippling disability, similar to PPMS.

But even so, I love life, people and family…oh and shopping…,mustnt forget that!

luv Pollx