Battle Fatigue

A poem

Photo by Anushka Sharma on Unsplash

It’s all a bit much these days.

I wrote this poem back in early-November when we were just heading into the dark months. We’ve come through, but darkness lingers in many corners.

If you’re feeling it, like I am, do what you need to care for yourself. I keep hearing a voice in the back of my mind telling me to “step off¹”, so that’s what I’m doing these days. Backing away, curating what I allow in, and looking for joy-sparkers in the ordinary extraordinary.

Be kind to one another and yourself.

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Battle Fatigue

Enter the dark
months, when the black dog 
with putrid breath and wild yellow eyes,
crouches around the corner
waiting for an opening.

You’re going to stroke its back. I know it.
There’s muscle beneath that soft coat. Beware.
Don’t feed the beast. Starve it.
Look it in the eye. Stand strong.

Tight. Tired. Sluggish.
Shoulder pain is back.
Should get out of the house
but it’s too windy
				cold
					early
						late
							wet
								busy.

Hands on the wall of the shower. Let it rain.
Pull on socks. And a sweater.
Read good words. Write some.
Eat some fruit. Go to yoga.

Seven more weeks of increasing dark
before light.
Hang on.

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This is a dark poem, I know, and perhaps, it would be wiser to share something uplifting to counteract the darkness. Or, maybe there’s wisdom in acknowledging the current state while understanding that the only constant is change.

We’ve lived through dark days in the past. Those who are loudest now, will be silenced. Human beings can be unbelievable cruel, but also exceedingly kind. Move toward the kind ones. Be one of them.

Light wins. Always.

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Let us be kind, one to another, for most of us are fighting a hard battle.

Ian Maclaren²

1. Years ago, we had a Wii Fit. There was a little voice inviting you to “step on” to the platform ti begin certain activities. It’s this voice, that I hear these days advising the wisdom of “stepping off” or, perhaps more accurately, “stepping away.”

2. https://quoteinvestigator.com/2010/06/29/be-kind/

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