When You See Me - Fibro Poem

WHEN YOU SEE ME

by Mary Hastings

written May 2003

When you see me on a "good day"

I may look as if nothing's wrong,

But I, myself, am very aware

That the energy won't last long.

You may think that I am lazy,

Or I just don't like to try,

Or maybe I am just depressed,

When sometimes you see me cry.

You may not understand me,

It's not easy to explain,

The struggles that I so often endure,

As I live each day in pain.

People may offer their opinions,

Thinking that I just need some advise,

Yet they don't really comprehend,

Although they are trying to be nice.

What for some may be so easy,

Is almost impossible to me,

But because I may look healthy,

Many around me fail to see.

Perhaps it seems that I'm sloppy,

If I would only take more pride,

It's sad that many don't stop to see,

The person who is inside.

Planning things is so hard to do,

With each day uncertain fate,

The best that I can do is try,

And oftentimes I have to wait.

Life can be so stressful,

Even when you have your health,

Many people cannot even imagine,

Giving up their dreams and wealth.

While some people may worry,

How to fit everything into each day,

Others of us must struggle,

To even find a way.

So often misunderstood,

Some say that is must be "in my head,"

Yet there are days that it takes all I have

To even get out of bed.

You'd think that if one is weary,

Then why not just take a nap,

But the fatigue at times is so severe,

That nothing seems to help.

I guess it would be a better thing,

If there were a little more support,

Everyone longs for acceptance and love,

As they keep their life in sort.

If I could make the world aware,

Help them to see things in a new light,

Be careful on what they base their view,

That they may receive a new insight.

Then maybe when someone else comes along,

Who is going through something unknown,

They may not feel so hopeless and scared,

And will know that they're not alone.

Whether it be a terminal thing,

Or something chronic with no known cure,

There are many processes that will be faced

In this we can rest assured.

The grieving over loss is hard,

Whatever the loss may be.

What may be just a bump for you,

Could seem like a mountain to me.

For I faithfully trust in God above,

And no matter what the future may bring,

I know that He is holding my hand,

And He's in control of EVERYTHING.