Poetry corner

Here at the PHA UK, we’ve long been advocates for writing as a form of therapy and self-expression - and we love it when you send us your poems.

My CTEPH journey Myra Morrison crafted her story in support of PH Awareness Week, rising to our #21in21 challenge by creating a poem made of 21 rhyming couplets. I couldn’t breathe, I walked so slow So to the doctor I had to go. You are quite ill, I’ll ring ahead Go to the hospital, they’ll give you a bed. That very first night was oh so long My husband had to leave, it was hard to stay strong. We’ll take some bloods, scans and a test You stay in bed, and get lots of rest. Can I get up, perhaps wash my hair? Not yet they said, you must stay there. Groin to heart, the tubes go here That scared me most and gave me fear. Okay, so CTEPH is what you have got, You’ll have some questions, most likely a lot. Warfarin, leaflets and books, this is what you need So now go home and have a read. I put the books into a drawer, Put my head in the sand and tried to ignore. In a few months’ time, the books came out, I read, I cried, and had a shout. Six-minute walk, blood test and a chat, Every few months, I’m okay with that. Let’s do groin to heart again they thought Didn’t want to do it, but knew that I ought. You’re doing okay, so now you can go, You may live long, we really don’t know. Life changed in oh so many ways, Couldn’t do stuff like in the old days. Little by little I found my way, ‘Cos I knew I must fight, so I could stay. And then came COVID, so had to stay home, Get the shopping sent in, and no longer roam. Anxiety and depression, made me feel bad, I cried all the time and felt really sad. My lovely husband helped me so much, But I still feel a burden, and he is my crutch. I baked some bread, and made some art, That made me feel better, and it was a start I missed kids and grandkids oh so much, But now we can hug and meet and such. I still feel scared and sometimes sad, But I’m still here, and that makes me glad.

All bets are off Anita Jackson lives with PH and Eisenmenger Syndrome and started writing poetry whilst shielding last year. At 3 they said ‘needs a heart operation’ Before the operation they said ‘Survival chance 50/50’ 12 hours on the operating table they said ‘Got a fighter here’ Teenage years they said ‘Don’t expect to see 40’ Mid 30s they said ‘Unlikely to survive to fifth decade’ Mid 40s they said ‘Should make 60’ Mid 50s They stopped saying. Is the final full stop near? Or, tired of losing, they’ve ceased making bets? WINTER 2021 emphasis 10 Want to see your work in Emphasis? send your poems to media@phauk.org and we’ll do our best to share them.