This morning I was reading a post by my blogging friend, Bella, over at Thoughts ‘n Life blog. Her post was about how people have to learn to deal with everything life throws us on our journey. You can read Bella’s post here: https://thoughtsnlifeblog.com/2022/04/05/you-can-face-anything/. Her comments made me think about pain, especially chronic pain, and learning to live with it.
I have recorded two poems, one is called In School and is from Susan Coolidge’s delightful book, What Katy Did. The other is one of my own poems from my book, Open a new door, called Pain.
I hope you appreciate these poetic offerings.
Coming soon
Kaye Lynne Booth and I, together with 11 talented poets, have been working on a new collection of poetry by contributors to our Treasuring Poetry blog series from 2021.
The cover design is by creative dynamo, Teagan Riordain Geneviene.
Robbie's inspiration 
Chronic pain is indeed hard to live with. I used to work in the Pain Medicine Department of our local hospital and so saw it all first hand.
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Hi Stevie, chronic pain is very wearying. I have suffered with chronic back pain for many years and now, whenever I get sick, I get the most terrible pain in my back. Such is life and we have to learn to deal with it.
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Yes, we do. Our nurses used to suggest distraction techniques and the doctors suggested opioids (which over time did not work as the body developed a tolerance to them). Patients wanted to carry on with bad lifestyle choices and just pop a pill to take the pain away, but there isn’t one. I get a lot of lower back pain now, but do my stretches and exercises every morning and try to help myself a bit.
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Both offerings strike a chord. Both offerings remind us we are not alone in our pain. ❤
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Hi Annette, that is a very positive way of looking at it. Thank you. Hugs.
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Lovely shares, Robbie. Relentless, indeed! Pain is one of those things many struggle to truly empathise with unless they’ve experienced it. Looking forward to our anthology coming out! Hugs 💕🙂
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Hi Harmony, I think relentless is the best description. The pain remains but it peaks and ebbs. You are right about others not understanding how debilitating pain can be.
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💖
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Fantastic, Robbie x
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Thank you, Toni.
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Loved your recitals, Robbie 😉
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Thank you, Colin. I am really pleased to know that.
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Fabulous post and I enjoyed hearing you! Good luck with your book of poetry.
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Thank you, Cindy, I am very pleased you enjoyed these poems.
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It is hard to truly understand the state of someones heart when It is burdened with such dark shadows.
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Hi Wayne, I have suffered with chronic pain for many years. I had a very bad cycling accident in my late 20s and it caused me a lot of issues with my back and knees. I don’t think it has changed my heart though except to make me more empathetic and understanding of other peoples pain and health problems. Both my sons also have chronic health problems and they are good chaps. I think it is how you view life in the long run, that informs your heart.
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Chronic pain is something you would know about Robbie and because I haven’t had it,I do not know a thing.
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Hi Wayne, I am very happy to know that. Long may it last.
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Of course there are two sides to everything, but the relentlessness of pain can be very hard to bear, whether physical or mental. I always enjoy your readings Robbie. (K)
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Hi Kerfe, you are right, physical pain can also lead to depression and mental health issues. A good point.
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Reblogged this on Ed;s Site..
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Thank you, Ed.
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Lovely Poems. You have inspired me to write poems – at least a few in April.
Pain really is something, and how it shows up in our body.
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Hi Bella, I am very happy to know I have inspired you to write some poems. Pain is something we all experience and have to live with from time to time.
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So true.
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So true
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Both are excellent poems but I liked yours the best!
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Hi Darlene, thank you, I am glad. I must admit that I am a huge fan of Susan Coolidge.
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Lovely readings, Robbie.
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Thank you, John.
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😁
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Loved that recital Robbie! Congratulations for this new collaboration. I am looking forward to read it. 😊
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Thank you, Balroop. I am delighted you enjoyed these poems.
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Beautiful imagery Robbie…of course, it’s about something serious, but you capture it with such grace…
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Hi John, thank you. I am glad you enjoyed these poems.
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I just love your readings, Robbie. I hope you enjoy World Poetry Month. You certainly add a lot to it for us. Many thanks for the shout-out. Wishing you huge success with the upcoming collection. Hugs on the wing.
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Hi Teagan, thank you, I am so glad you enjoyed. I saw your new cover for Dead of Winter on FB and thought it was quite stunning.
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Lovely Robbie. I was able to comment on youtube on the first one (yours) but not the second. Tricky subject … a painful one …
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HI Susan, thank you. I wonder why you couldn’t comment on the second one. Honestly, I probably did something strange when I uploaded it. Pain is very debilitating.
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My computer’s been playing up a bit – fibre down etc in the area. Chronic pain must be the worst. I don’t know if that’s true of you? I hope not – turmeric is helpful as an anti inflammatory-
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Hi Susan, I’ve had chronic pain for many years and it goes up and down. 💖
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Loved the way you spoke on YouTube, Robbie. Pain is something that we all go through in our lives. Hearty congratulations with your upcoming collection. The picture is perfect and beautiful.
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HI Kamal, I am so pleased you enjoyed these two readings. I am a huge Susan Coolidge fan.
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Always welcome dear Robbie ❤️
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Lovely post, Robbie. Shared on Twitter for you.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Thank you, Pete. Have a great evening.
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Chronic pain is a difficult subject to deal with. I enjoyed your reading the two poems, Robbie. I am looking forward to the next collection – that’s a great cover.
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Hi Dan, thank you, I am glad you liked the two poems. Strangely, it turned out that a few people wrote about pain today due to the NaPoWriMo prompt. Teagan’s designs are always amazing.
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I loved both of these poems, Robbie, and their delivery was superb. I really enjoyed What Katy Did when I was a child but don’t remember any of the poetry in it. I think it needs your intuitive delivery to bring out the best in it. Your own poem is beautifully crafted, too. I really enjoyed Behind Closed Doors and now I’m looking forward to Open a New Door.
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Hi Alex, I am very pleased to know you enjoyed my poetry. I seem to have a need to write poetry and I have periods when it just keeps coming, like now. I love What Katy Did and the other books in the series. There are a few other good poems in the book I may share as the month progresses.
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Both poems are great, Robbie. And you reading them really bring each of them to life! Love both!
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Hi Jan, thank you, that is very nice of you 😊
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Excellent readings of both poems, Robbie! You’ve become very poised and relaxed in front of the camera.
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Hi Liz That is very nice of you. I don’t do any repeat recordings now. I just hope for the best 😂
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The strategy is working!
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Sounds exciting Robbie.
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Thanks Geoff
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You’re so right about chronic pain, Robbie. I still have neck pain from our car accident last summer, but physical therapy and therapeutic massages have lessened it.
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Hi Teri, I am sorry that you are still struggling with pain after your accident. I’ve had chronic pain for years and have been going to physiotherapy once a week for years. It helps 😊
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Wonderful words
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Thank you, Danny 💖
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Wonderful poem. Chronic pain–I don’t think anyone who doesn’t suffer it can understand. Your poem says it well.
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Thank you, Jacqui. I think you are right. Chronic pain is wearying and debilitating.
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Great readings, Robbie!
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Thank you, Andrew
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You’re welcome.
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That first poem which was new to me took me right back to my nasty third grade teacher. Thankfully mid year they split up our class and I was reassigned to a lovely, kind and soft spoken teacher. What a difference as the poem understood.
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Hi Elizabeth, I also have a few bad memories of teachers but they were mainly my Afrikaans (second language) teachers. As a result of their abuse, I would not learn the language.
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I wonder why they were particularly obnoxious. I guess prejudice against the English.
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Partially, and because Afrikaans women were an very tough and fairly aggressive lot at the time.
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Both poems are wonderful, Robbie. I have family and friends who deal with chronic pain. It’s something hard to understand unless we’ve walked in their shoes. I enjoyed your videos, too. 💗
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Thank you, Lauren. I have a bit of fun making these videos sometimes. I agree about pain. You have to experience it to understand it, but many elderly people suffer chronic pain.
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My father-in-law suffers with chronic pain, and he will turn 99 in 3 weeks. He’s okay, but it’s sad to know he suffers, especially at night. 💞
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I enjoyed hearing you read the poems, Robbie. Well done.
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Thank you, Jennie.
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You’re welcome, Robbie.
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I enjoyed your readings Robbie, and enjoyed the topic of pain, something I know well of and gives me lots to write about too. Those who wear the shoes can empathize. ❤
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Hi Debby, I am sorry you too suffer from chronic pain. Pain can be physical, emotional, or mental. All can be debilitating.
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It certainly can Robbie. Thank you. ❤
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I forgot to say, congrats on your upcoming newest colloboration and book. 🙂
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Thank you, Debby.
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🙂
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So lovely to hear you reciting your poetry, Robbie. Powerful and penetrating words. Thanks so much for sharing!
Bravo to all on the release of Poetry Treasures. That’s awesome! 🙂
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wonderful performances, Robbie! so sorry about your challenges – I just got over several weeks of bad hip & back pain & was quite humbled. am impressed you get so much done & remain so positive despite…
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HI da-AL, thank you for visiting and commenting. I try to always see the bright side of life, there really isn’t much point in doing otherwise. It just pulls you down. Hugs.
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you pull us all up rather than down. wishing you a good day ❤
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