Another Open Letter to Readers

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/R._N._Taber

A reader kindly asks how I am coping with my prostate cancer during the pandemic, especially as I live alone and have mobility issues as well. Well, not easily, but mind-body-spirit manages to rise above it all... most of the time.

Diagnosed some 10 years ago now, the prostate cancer was not aggressive and I have been treated with hormone therapy (Zoladex) ever since. Yes, having to get up during the night to urinate, often as many as four or five times, doesn't make for a decent night's sleep and I  get very tired some days. But prostate cancer has a mind of its own so I just have to take each day as it comes. 

Safety precautions due to the pandemic means I don't get to see friends, and I miss their support, but knowing they are rooting for me is always good for morale. My best friend is my 'bubble' partner and I see him as much as possible although he has been working from home and doesn't live locally so I miss face-to-face  get-togethers with him too. Hopefully, once he is is working in London again, we can meet up for lunch like we used to.

Readers often ask why I write mind-body-spirit as one word rather than three in my poems. Well, it is because I don't see how you can separate them in so far as they are interdependent. My mother used to say we should never underestimate the power of the human spirit to nurture a positive mindset capable of seeing us through even the worst circumstances. She was so right. I am also reminded of a quote by Helen Keller:

"No pessimist ever discovered the secret of the stars, or sailed to an uncharted land, or opened a  a new doorway for the human spirit." 

I see disabled people and others, a LOT worse off than yours truly coping with far more serious medical in addition to other issues, and words fail me; it can only be down to as strong a human spirit as far as I'm concerned. Those of various religious persuasions may well disagree and prefer to credit an ethereal presence within us, but we will simply have to agree to differ. Disabled people and those with learning difficulties are an inspiration to us all, even more so as so many of us are still  having to deal with levels of isolation during the pandemic such as we never imagined.

Yes, it is scary, having to rise above medical and other personal issues  issues , bur what choice to we have?  Fear is perhaps the greatest and most natural threat of all that we needs must overcome threat of all to overcome. What can I say but quote a Frenchman:

1. “He who fears he will suffer, already suffers because he fears.” - Michel De Montaigne.

Yes, I know it is all very well to lean on famous quotes, but their authors knew what they were talking about, just as yours truly endeavours to practise what I try to encourage rather than preach in many of my poems.

Thanks for dropping by, folks, always much appreciated. Oh, and yes, I am working on a new poem that I hope to publish here on the blog by Monday if not earlier. Meanwhile, I hope those of you already exploring the blog archives will find some poems to enjoy.

Take care and keep well,

Back soon,

Roger