Tuesday poem - Bad Back Strikes Again

Old injuries hang over my head
They taunt me every time I get into bed
I hear a whisper now and then
A faint alarm whenever I bend

When they don't flare for a good long while
I jaunt around with a great big smile
And just when I think all is well
My back injury takes me to hell

Can't stand
Can't sit
Can't walk

Can't lie

Pain in my legs, pain in my arms

Pain setting off all my internal alarms
Making me gasp, making me cry

Making me curl up and ask why oh why

I didn't do anything crazy or mad

But my body is punishing me for being bad

I've kept moving every day all the time

Walking, daily yoga, doing just fine

And then one day, I get in the shower

Ordinary, daily, one with a smidge of power

Suddenly it hurts, it hurts so much

Can't even breathe, can't even touch

Laid up now for four days straight

Is this a twisted plan from fate?

Forcing me to sit still and cope

Waking each day with small hope

Eases off then comes back in waves

Hoping this time it doesn't last for days

Trying to keep busy, working on my book

Curled up in my squishy sofa nook

Hot water bottle, block of ice

Eating everything that tastes nice

Drinking lots of cups of tea

Regretting it every time I have to go pee

Rebooking all the appointments I made

Just waiting now for the agony to fade

Feeling bad for the kids locked in with me

When I'm barely able to cook their tea

Letting them have much more screen time 

Telling myself that for now, it's fine

It won't be forever, soon I'll be able to move

Then I'll be back in my supermum groove

Claire Buss is a multi-genre author and poet, completely addicted to cake. Find out more about her books on her website clairebuss.co.uk. Join the discussion in her Facebook group Buss's Book Stop. Never miss out on future posts by following me.