My Journey in Poetry

[Michael7]

Motivation to calm my mind and help me through the more difficult times

What is it that motivates me
And keeps me smiling so all can see
A walk in the woods or a stroll by the river
For with the company of nature, problems disappear

I regain peace of mind, body and soul
Energise my being and let problems go
Filled with sounds from on the wing
Smelling the fragrance only nature can bring

From this I have a need to write and draw
And show interested others what makes my soul glow
I take photographs aplenty to aid my recall
Whilst sitting at night before sleep takes my all

After this my mind is refreshed
I can look at problems and tackle with zest
For with a walk I disentangle an accumulation of things
And problems unravel for solutions can then be seen
​

 

[Michael7]

This morning

I look into my lunch box with despair
Bergen bread and yoghurt lies there
Two apples to snack on during the day
And some diabetic biscuits in case I stray

Underneath I sneak some cup-o-soups
In case I get cold and need warming through
But still I know the catering van
Is there and tempting me all day

Bacon and eggs on a large barm cake
Pots of coffee with sugar to keep awake
That’s some people as into the office they stray
I have not to let my resolve go astray

Soon they finish but the smell does linger
So I have a coffee but with sweeteners
Tummy rumbling with the smell
So I eat a biscuit (and dunk as well)

Just one of the drawbacks of diabetes
When for so long you have been eating
Comfort food and loved every bite
And now I'll be paying for the rest of my life

But being a Yorkshire-man has its benefits
As now my pocket has started swelling
At all the money I am now saving
This does help to reduce my craving
​

 

[pippaandben]

Bacon and eggs could always go on your burgen bread

 

[Michael7]

Just a thought or two

Reading forums can be quite daunting
The experiences of others are very informing
Then listening to the nurse I see
Saying be careful of all the information you read

So I read the problems others have
Relate sometimes when I'm feeling bad
But keep to the regime that was given to me
For consistency and stability remains a key

If it works for you why not for me
Why is it that my body disagrees
The problem is I'm an individual
And as my mum said, there isn’t two just like me

So I indulge myself every now and then
The periods in-between I try to be strong
Except now I savour each and every bite
And then wash it down with just one pint

My blood sugar is coming down
I keep hoping soon I will be fine
The nurse says to stop burying my head
Keep on track and remember what I said

I am beginning to accept what I've got
And not let despondency reach my heart
I will partake in a sin or two
A piece of cake and glass of ruin
​

 

[Michael7]

For me to test or not?

A non-testing Diabetic that’s me right now
Conflicting advice is making me think twice
The forum advocates regular testing for all
Yet my diabetic Nurse thinks I'd be heading for a fall

Depression is a subject that is raised to the fore
As poor results would facilitate a patient to fall
But those with this condition could make it worse
Maybe I should let the professionals take their course

Anxiety and overthinking is a problem for me
Therefore would testing be a benefit I could see
Would I expect results to show me the way
Or would it just confuse and hinder any progress I'd made

Stop in depth thinking on subjects I'm not clear
Let the paid professionals take the burden away
Just concentrate on the advice they have given to me
And concentrate on enjoying life is the way for me

Maybe this shows to me that not all are the same
Information given to be tailored that’s all
Without being patronising but sufficient to control
From the ways of the mind tormenting the soul
​

 

[Northerner]

Michael, I do understand the conflict you feel. Not all healthcare professionals say TYpe 2 don't need to test, many advocate it and support their patients through the process. It is true that if the tests reveal poor numbers then it can be disheartening, but the flipside is when you start to see the improvements you make as you make adjustments based on what you have learned - that can be enormously encouraging. You DO need support when you are new to it, but you can rest assured that we would always be here to explain and encourage whenever there is confusion or doubt. I have been here long enough to see the transformation it can make in people, as they begin to feel in control, rather than in the dark. Clearly though, it is a personal decision and you know yourself best, and how you might cope with things - I certainly wouldn't want to make you feel you are doing anything wrong if you choose a different path, just trying to explain the logic and potential benefits 🙂

Keep writing the poems! 🙂

 

[Lindarose]

Hi Michael I really understand how you feel about testing It's very hard to go against the advice of your GP when they say don't test - as
mine does! It's really a personal decision as Northerner says For some people it helps a lot to keep you on track and know what effects foods have so you can adjust diet and improve numbers But yes it's also an additional worry when the inevitable high readings occur and often make no sense! You could always try both ways maybe don't test yourself for a time and see how your GP tests come back and start testing if you're not happy with results? Good luck with whichever way you decide to approach things

 

[Michael7]

A mindless day to come

My minds a blank, nothing is there
I stare at the screen whilst sat in my chair
My work up to date and no-one's about
Even my poetry seems to have taken a day out

I can't think of nature and a gurgling brook
The spring time flowers can't even get a look
Just a blank piece of paper lies between my eyes
No inspiration to write down some lines

This time I'm not worried about what others think
I'll just continue until the moment breaks
Writing down words describing me now
Even this won't take me a great deal of time
​

 

[Michael7]

Diabetes is not on my mind today

The winter is still fighting back
Nipping buds right in their tracks
But a snippet of sun and the buds return
Showing the winter season is on the turn

I look around the woodland floor
Hoping to see some snowdrops grow
Then the Crocii will follow on
Maybe then daffodils the flower of the sun

Still the mornings are cold for me
But the frost can now be removed with ease
The days become lighter, brighter too
And elevates my mood as more sun breaks through

I hear more birds as I walk on through
Soon the woodpecker will herald 'I've come too'
More birds will flock in from their winter haunts
And close the season of winter with no more taunts​

 

[Michael7]

Oops oh dear a backward step!

I succumbed last night and I went out
Sausage, egg, beans and chips was my delight
Topped off with a pint of glorious beer
I slept like a log now I feel full of good cheer

Maybe it was not a diabetic choice
But boy it was good and felt just right
Now I'll relent and watch again
And try to make up the loss on my gains

A treat for me was just what i needed
The stress of the day was completely alleviated
Okay I know I can’t do this everyday
But every now and again keeps the demons away
​

 

[Northerner]

That's excellent Michael, so pleased you enjoyed your treat! We are only human, and sometimes need to be a bit indulgent - I think you appreciate more 🙂

 

[Michael7]

My imagination taking a break from the real world of Diabetes

See the whale breaching from the sea
Watch the waves parting with ease
Then the splash as it re-enters its world
To disappear into the cold waters below

Scanning the surface you wait for a sign
That this enormous whale will come up from below
A darkened bulge over the crest of a wave
Or a spurt of water as once again it inhales

A scent comes over in the wind to you
From a whale that is upwind that surfaced and blew
Distinctly 'fishy' you know it’s from her
To complement the package making all your senses aware

A mighty roar it’s almost a shout
As the water and air erupts from her spout
A sensual experience you'll never forget
You stand in awe at the scene nature projects

And then she goes without further sound
You wait and wait but there is nothing around
As you stand and look you try and recall
The spectacle that you witnessed from the whale down below
​

 

[Michael7]

Reading and learning and being able to put into perspective

Reading about the loss of toes was quite a shock
And made me think more on this diabetic lot
For I have toes that my mind says are cold
But when I feel them they are not at all

The mind can play some horrendous tricks
Making you think things that are not
If you went to the doctors with just the fear
If you’re not very careful it will all end in tears

Maybe for me reading these things is not too good
And that I just keep to the strategy of watch my food
Aren’t aches and pains just one aspect of life
When does that change for you to give the doctors strife?

For those that can talk and express themselves well
The doctors is probably the route for them
But for me who will write but not talk
Going to the doctors is something I just baulk

Now I've got it going round in my head
My wife knows there something that I will not tell
I feel hypochondria beginning to take hold
So probably it'll be best for me to say nothing at all
​

 

[Michael7]

Another day once settled down

I've taken my pills and still watching my diet
I've also calmed down from the initial fright
Still not testing my nurse says not yet
Saying to concentrate on diet and not the rest

I've learnt to look at what I'm consuming
Just the sugars to stop it being confusing
So many things with high levels of sugar
No wonder the state that I'm in I am now 'sugared'

Trying to cut out the sugar by replacing with sweeteners
Just a small step for me the consumer
Not sure on the taste but struggle I will
And then continue in climbing this hill

Fruit I've always thought is our best friend
But the natural sugar within is a surprise
I suppose I've just buried my head in the sand
It’s a wonder sometime how I've ever survived

Three steps forward and sometimes one back
in aggregate I'm still going forward on someone’s plan
The end goal is not there but the sun is shining
That means diabetes will be controlled and not confining
​

 

[Northerner]

Sounding positive Michael 🙂

 

[Michael7]

A tester coming up for my resolve

Another week I shall be going away
Two weeks on a boat what more can I say
The Norwegian fjords and northern lights
I'm sure I'll be in for some fantastic sights

Slight problem I hear some say
The food on board may get in your way
But I shall try and limit what I partake
Whilst remembering tomorrow is another day

Plenty of walks in those northern climes
Being wrapped up most of the time
So a slight increase in calories should be okay
As long as exercise gets in the way

My camera, pen, paints and paper
To record what I see whenever I'm able
Two weeks without the 'gogglebox'
But also my internet friends I'll miss a lot

so now my imagination begins to go into overdrive
Trying to predict those wondrous sights
Prepare my mind to be blown away
Then transfer onto paper for in my memory to stay
​

 

[Northerner]

You will love Norway Michael, if you haven't been before 🙂 I spent two weeks there a few years back - so beautiful and peaceful and the people are amongst the best in the world!

 

[Michael7]

My anticipation is VERY wetted, especially with those photographs!

 

[Northerner]

My anticipation is VERY wetted, especially with those photographs!

The first was taken during the train journey from Bergen to Flam, the 'Roof of the World' trip. The train stops and lets people off to see the waterfall up close 🙂 The second one was taken from the top of the mountains high above the Sognefjord - the village that you can just about make out down at the water's edge is Balestrand 🙂 You are in for a treat!

 

[Michael7]

Poem for the non-testers

I know I have diabetes
The doctors told me so
So to restrict my diet
To reduce the sugar flow

Keep taking the pills and be aware
Of what you consume and beware
Hidden sugar will do you harm
So read the labels and keep calm

3 monthly testing of your blood sugar
The doctors will monitor how you do
But wouldn’t it be good to check each day
How your body reacts along the way?

For sometimes I do forget
And consume some things which later regret
And then some days when you’re not feeling well
Is it blood sugar? Who can tell!

Just at the moment it doesn’t make sense
I have no control and it can make me tense
Should I accept patience is thing for me?
And leave it for the doctors to monitor me

This quandary I know will remain
Until I have control and data to save
Maybe then I'll know which way to go
And I will see that which troubles me most
​