It is the strangest feeling

Energy has completely gone

My mind is full of ideas

But nothing can get done

I understand the reason

Years of pain have stressed

My body and my mind

Now I struggle to get dressed

Should I try to get extra sleep?

Eat more berries or yoga do?

Many ideas go round my mind

To help me to get through

But, I have finally decided

My body knows better than me

So I shall just wait with patience

Until recovery I feel and see

Illness and pain have taken years

I hope this phase won't take as long

But to continue with my plans

I shall have to be quite strong

Now conflicting thoughts set in

'Exercise or you'll be weak'

'I know, I try, I can't just now'

I'm in a quandary, so to speak

I can plan my books in advance

Decide the clothes that I shall wear

When I visit or give a talk

I shall be ready, well - nearly there

I'll make this a time of preparation

An alternative to frustration

I’ll just 'go with the flow' until

I reach my destination

One slight snag I now disclose

I shall soon reach eighty years

Should I just accept this fact?

Stop wasting time or tears

‘At your age, weakness is inevitable

What else can you expect?'

I reply, 'I'll prove you’re wrong'

Said, of course, with great respect!

Audrey Coatesworth - from her forthcoming book ( probably called 'A Journey')