When IBD Makes You Fear Your Next Meal: A Poem

Oh, do I remember the days,
When I could eat a donut,
without the trembling fear of inevitable pain.

When I could munch on a crunch potato chip,
Without it terrorizing my intestines.

When I could indulge in velvety egg custard, cheese cake and apple pie,
Without writhing in bed in pain, feeling like I’m going to die.

When I could imbibe a gin and tonic or a glass of wine,
Without the gut-wrenching nausea and vomit,

When I could chomp on bean-filled burros and cheesy quesadillas,
Without a war being waged and explosions coming from my behind.

I remember the days,
When I could eat without fear,
Without hesitation,
Without feeling like I was so vastly separate,
from everyone around me.

For those of you who share similar memories,
and trials of your own,
I am here to remind you,
That we may not be able to indulge in the past,
but can create a better future.
That we can play, explore, be curious,
and make something better for ourselves.

Though our cravings may return, over and over, with vicious force,
That there is still so much for you to experience,
That life has not lost its taste,
that there is still so much juicy deliciousness,
to bite into.

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Flickr photo via Bryan Ochalla