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Poetry and colour therapy

Shelaghon February 02, 2016

14 Comments

As this weeks newsletter focuses upon living well after stroke and activities to support our recovery, this blog may be pertinent. I found by writing poetry about the fatigue, the depression, mixed emotions and frustrations as well as the silly forgetful moments, helped me greatly through my stroke recovery. I found writing about how I felt somehow released the negativity of my condition and helped me move forward. Some of my poetry is now published and there are colour therapy pages and inspirational quotes to help those just like me. I found colouring deeply soothing on my brain and made me much calmer. Here are the links for anyone interested and some of the proceeds of book sales go back to the Stroke Foundation but happy to publish some poems on here if anyone keen. Shelagh

Website: http://www.astrokeofpoetry.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/astrokeofpoetry

14 Responses

Diana

02/02/2016 04:01

I am keen for you to publish some of your poems here Shelagh X

Shelagh

02/02/2016 04:15

Thanks Diana. On this feed? I will understand how it all works eventually! Blame it on my stroke brain! haha xx

Shelagh

02/02/2016 04:23

My first poem I write about the day of my stroke is on my blog. This one is a little light hearted to start with and hope many of the stroke survivors out there can identify with the frustrations of 'post stroke brain"! It also makes me smile because as a journalist who recently interviewed me, said it also showed the unconditional love shown by my gorgeous son Patrick. I hope you enjoy reading it.

It’s only oranges

It's Saturday tomorrow, well that's come around quite quick.
Who will they be playing this week, let’s take your pick.
Where are we going, what time to be there?
I wonder if it will be somewhere I can take my chair?

To ask my son, there’s no point in that.
He rarely remembers his soccer hat.
So it’s down to Mum, the answers to seek
As Dad is still away working, now in his fourth week.

The timetable I put on the fridge for both of us to see.
An early game I see it is, no lie in then, for me.

So up we get, its 7am, is this necessary?
Saturdays should be lazy days, especially for me.

A cuppa made, too early for food, and off we jolly well go.
But halfway along the journey, realise no soccer boots in tow.

A row, a fall out, "It’s not my fault" he tries to plead with me.
"It’s too early to be getting up" he says so earnestly.

We go back home, and dash straight in, the car door left ajar.
The dog thinks we’ve come back for her and gets into the car.

The dog settled back into the house, we leave, but now he’s glum.
I know he doesn’t like it when I’m an angry, shouting mum.

We get to the ground, nowhere to park, with chair and flask we run.
I think I’m going to vomit or at least end up on my bum.

I find a spot, say hello to all and sit down on my chair.
"The half time fruit?" I am then asked and respond in despair.
It was my turn, the roster said, the oranges I should bring.
But I forgot to put it into that new iPad computer thing.

So half time beckons, the boys all sulk and glare at me with hate.
And those words I know they're about to come so I sit and anticipate.
"No oranges! How can that be? How could she be so lax?"
I fiddle and squirm inside my chair and wish they'd cut me some slack.

The second half ends, the game is won, I gather up my things.
But the travel home is now with sadness, for oranges I did not bring.

I feel so bad about my plight but next week is far away.
No oranges to think about now, on this lovely sunny day.

We go straight home, the dog goes mad with happiness we are there.
And then comes Patrick, hugs me lots and I hope he doesn’t care.

He tells me that it doesn’t matter, and forgiving as he is.
"It’s silly Mum, its only oranges" and then gives me a kiss.

About the oranges, who gives a hoot, the fact they won is best.
"But Mum, you know next week it is your turn to take the vests?"

Shelagh

02/02/2016 04:42

There are some colouring pages within my book for you to add your own beautiful artistic colouring and I have always found colour therapy very soothing on the brain. Check out the one I have recently coloured whilst confined to my sons pediatric ward over the weekend during his appendectomy! It certainly made me less anxious about his operation.

Shelagh

02/02/2016 06:32

This is a poem I still love and was written when I was in my period of post stroke depression towards the middle/end of 2013. Writing the poem helped me get better and see that I COULD get better if I tried. I am so far away from this now, but its OK to feel like this...just don't stay there! I hope that you enjoy it.

Shelagh

02/02/2016 06:38

I wish I had wings

As I lie in my bed and look up to the sky,
I wish I had feathery wings so I could try to fly.

I'd find a fluffy white cloud, and sit there all day long.
I'd say "Hi" to the birds as they flew by, and listen to their songs.

I'd wait till it rained, and watch the ground below.
And see all the trees and flowers as they then started to grow.

I'd see the people and the animals, rushing all around,
bumping into each other, as they hurry across the ground.

As the breeze comes through my window, and flutters on my head,
I really wish that I could fly, instead of being in bed.

I seem to do so well, for days, and weeks at my best.
My energy gets better and I seem to need less rest.

My limits, I thought I knew them, so I carry on as I do.
But then one day it hits me, and my head explodes to goo.

I find it so frustrating, not being the normal me.
I can hear everyone saying "Just be patient, you will see".

But I don't want to be patient; I want to be like everyone.
I want to climb mountains, and have a lot of fun.

I had fun at the weekend, with good friends and family.
I've maybe overdone it, and now this week is rest for me.

My head, it won't stop pounding, the meds they are increased.
I'm totally good for nothing; all I want right now is peace.

So please, dear God, just help me, and teach me what is ‘slow’.
As I really can't take more of this, as everyone will know.

Thank goodness I've got friends around and family close to me.
And Lilly always right by my side, as cuddly as can be.

My son, he is tremendous, he looks after me when I'm bad.
But it's not fair, it shouldn't be like this, he is such a grown up lad.

So Santa, when you leave the North Pole on Christmas Eve this year,
please put some wings inside your sack and leave them for me here.

And when it gets too much for me, I'll put them on and fly,
instead of staying in my bed, and having to explain why.

I'll maybe take my boy along, with his iPad, there's no doubt.
And maybe for only one day, we'll shut the whole world out.

'Til then, my bed will have to do, as I suppose it helps me rest.
A few hours hence, my husband's home, I will be feeling at my best.

Maybe I can still dream of wings, if it helps to get me right.
And hope and pray that maybe once, I'll have a good sleep tonight.

Diana

02/02/2016 23:27

These are fabulous Shelagh.

I am interested in hearing more about how you use colouring books to help your recovery and emotions.

Are you able to post a blog about it?

Diana

03/02/2016 23:22

Awesome to see that you found Shelagh's blog helpful Sue.

Shelagh you can message Sue here with more info, or by clicking on her profile pic.

Love your work.

Diana

12/02/2016 00:05

Hi Shelagh,

Tim sent in some photos from your book launch. I thought you might like them posted in this feed. Check them out. I love the one with Ida especially.

Diana

12/02/2016 00:09

Apologies Ted Gibbs not Tim - Diana

Diana

16/02/2016 04:57

Sheena,

I would love to see the photos from your recent launch here, or in your blog. Especially since you met some other enableme members at your launch.

Is this possible? I will also share them in Facebook.

Diana

16/02/2016 22:47

Sorry Shelagh, I called you Sheena - oops.

Sheena actually runs the fight stroke advocacy community here at Stroke Foundation.

Silly me

Bev Sturgiss

18/08/2016 04:14

Hi Shelagh, Love reading your poetry. I can see the orange issue as something any Mum would deal with Stroke or no. Your attitude is infectious and makes me feel positive about the future. Please don't stop writing. Big hugs Bev

Shelagh

24/08/2016 07:18

Thanks Bev. Many of my friends are urging me to write and publish another book but it did take all my energy. I am happy marketing this one for now but still write...strangely when I am feeling a little down hearted or sad about something. Thanks for your feedback. It is lovely and so happy you love my poems. I don't know if you have Facebook but my Facebook page for my book is... https://www.facebook.com/astrokeofpoetry...I tend to blog more on there and keep everyone up to date with how the book is doing. Thanks once again for taking the time to comment. Shelagh

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