You never thought you’d be alone
This far down the line
But I know what’s been on your mind
You’re afraid it’s all been wasted time
- The Eagles
Another day.
Wake up, stretch, exercises:
the familiar routine.
Doing everything you can.
.
Compression sleeve or no?
Tylenol or no?
No and no.
Lets see what happens today.
.
Down the same old supplements.
Marvel how the white bottles
dominate the cabinet now.
Taking everything I can.
.
Usual twinges or new pain?
Loose joint or stiff?
Usual and loose.
Let’s see what happens today.
.
Take comfort
that you’ve done all you can.
Now take a deep breath
and face the Unknown.
.
Feel the familiar sensation
of color draining from your face.
When that routine ache
gives way to new pain.
.
Relive the same thousand fears
wondering how high the bill
and how great the damage this time.
All part of the routine.
.
Stumble home
at the end of the long day.
Tired of the world
and tired of yourself.
.
Feel the same flicker of optimism
as you do the usual rehab.
Maybe it’s not so bad.
At least you know
you’ve done all you can.
.
Today went to hell.
But the day is done.
Maybe tomorrow.
About the Creator
Stephen A. Roddewig
Author of A Bloody Business and the Dick Winchester series. Proud member of the Horror Writers Association 🐦⬛
Also a reprint mercenary. And humorist. And road warrior. And Felix Salten devotee.
And a narcissist:
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The Ritual of Winter Challenge Winners
Welcome to the Winners Announcement for The Ritual of Winter challenge. This prompt focused on winter rituals and the meaning that settles into them over time. The top pieces stay grounded in ordinary acts and repeated routines, letting winter shape the work through pace, attention, and restraint.
By Vocal Curation Team2 days ago in Resources
Comments (12)
Really enjoyed this read. Oddly (maybe not?), it brought to mind the latest cooking trend. "Local ingredients, prepared simply to highlight (not mask) the local flavor. Comfort food - ELEVATED. This is how I read this piece. The language is straightforward and simple and it's as local as it gets (your own medicine cabinet!), and your phrasing and word choice elevates it into poetry. The ending is so simple, but chock full of poetic flavor (to extend the metaphor far past its prime), carrying the hopeful and tragic message we all tell ourselves. Deeply personal, heartfelt and eminently relatable. Loved reading this...over and over. Thanks for sharing it.
Maybe tomorrow tears me in two. It's so hopeful an despairing at the same time.
“Maybe tomorrow” punches me in the gut the same as “the only easy day was yesterday.” There are 24 hours between today and then, might as well give it hell. On a lighter note, “Maybe Tomorrow” is, in a roundabout way, my family motto— we’re procrastinators.
Maybe tomorrow indeed. I'm glad you are still hanging there and still not giving up, Stephen. Very inspiring which you will hate to hear lol but fucking take the compliment. Always admired your determination, in all areas. So no jokes no jibes. This is a great piece I'm glad you've republished so it gets more eyes on it. We are very lucky to have 2 Roddewigg poems in as many weeks.
When in doubt, push on to tomorrow. Great work lad
Whew….I mean, with any long-term health issue, it can feel overwhelming. This reminds me of the movie Cake, where getting through a day and making a cake was the highlight of this person's life (a person living with chronic pain) I felt this poem
Raw and real. The realities of living with a body that has changed. Never easy. I honour your journey and your sacrifice in sharing. Sending you and all who know this struggle, limitless positive vibes. Wishing you every success and every joy.
I love that this is so honest and real. The ending, “Maybe tomorrow,” says so much about the relatable fight to stay optimistic and hopeful thru chronic pain and suffering.
I have SCA - a progressive degenerative mobility disease - your poem may be sad, buy it's also optimistic in continuing to move and think forward - thank you for sharing this! 💕
Thank you for sharing this. It's raw, real, relatable, and such an important message for everyone. Well done.
This is sad, yet optimistic at the same time. Hang in there.
Take comfort that you’ve done all you can - I love this line. As an RA sufferer, it resonated.