THE BUDDHIST CARER

It’s a paradox Everything feels so close yet Also far away. Noises overwhelm Restless, jittery, tender Yet in a bubble. One step at a...

Wife… carer… widow. So many identities - Who am I really? Someone who feels pain At the loss of one so loved: The price of loving....

She wakes every day With a joyful bounce and smile So unencumbered. For her, no question Of the purpose of her life Just be more Penny!...

Widow in waiting The long awaited outcome Very nearly here.

Hasn’t walked in months Shadow of his former self Frail, fading away.

The weight of sadness Lethargy, not-botheredness Just too much to bear.

Why did I even Have to ask him who I am? ‘Course he doesn’t know.

Ylang ylang, vetiver Bergamot, geranium Blended, so grounding. Massaging gently Yet confidently, pressure When and where needed.

Phased return to work Gently easing myself back Working reduced hours

Things he no longer does A list as long as my arm No. Longer. Able. Stand, walk or even talk; Non-sense in jumbled sen-tence Chaotic...

Talking about things With a dear friend & out loud It all becomes clear Reality’s light Shines through & lets fade that dark Veil of...

In complete limbo So disorientated Awaiting a change A liminal space There’s never certainty, so Embrace the bardo. Free from the tether...

If it were only Worrying how he is Then I’d be ok But having to deal With unresolved “history” It’s all so heavy. Theory says “let them”...

Magnolia buds Teetering on the edge and Just about to bloom

It’s not binary Well - unwell, living - dying It’s much messier. Complex condition Imperceptibly flowing Changing constantly Gentle rise...

Sluggish and anxious Insufficient energy That’s full-on burnout.

Someone used the phrase Emotional earthquake and It made me feel seen.

Feeling jittery Distracted, hyper, restless Just so ill at ease. Heart palpitations And tightness across my chest Overwhelmed body.

Diff’rent difficult Another way of being That’s what I’d call it Not better or worse Diff’rent type of difficult Both better and worse.

Seems they just don’t care Out of sight and out of mind Not a single note Or call to enquire Carry on as normal while My world falls apart