Our Verses

Tornadoes strike in dead places. Thunder clouds are shadows inside broken bodies, lives, emotions, despair, turbulent rain storms, and razing lighting - when no one knows. In the season of autumn, I’m in the era of my life, struggling with challenges . I’m more than most survivors. I kick with bloody feet in asses. I fight like a warrior with my swords and shield, warring in my soul for a new dawn. I choose to confront demons attacking me, and not just complain. As I watch

I started last year with a little quote, A happy little side note, "Positive vibes for 2025" But between my degenerative disability and a lot of mental health struggles, If I'm honest, I'm just glad I made it out of 2025 still alive. It's amazing what a variation a year can be, From happy, positive vibes to breaking mentally. You never truly know what kind of year it'll be . 2026 I'm not planning a life fix, Or a mental overhaul, Or A new me, I don’t have those kind of magic

I wake up to yet another day A day with an open canvas A canvas to create the future What oh what will I create A day of wondering why Why our world is what it is A day to choose Goodness A day to pass on kindness A world who helps each other I choose to make a difference A difference to change the word To change the world one person at a time Michael D Russell Michael D Russell

Other people have great plans, Fly in a plane, And discover new lands. Lose tons of weight, Learn to skate, Redecorate the house, Learn to play Strauss My plans are different, Stay awake all day When I fall, I pray Not to get hurt, Do up my shirt Buttons or zips, Hope that this relapse is just a blip Write a poem For the first time since school. Watch out for the spasm, The foot drop, The flop. Time for new drugs, Please no MS hugs. Karen McKeating

It is difficult to think straight When you are chronically ill. At least ill the way I am Where just about everything hurts. Your condition-- The pain you are felling-- Is all-consuming. Sometimes it is all You can think of. Even when you try To not think There is little room For thoughts about anything else. But still you try To think thoughts outside What you are feeing Even though it is Who you’ve become: A dull guy in pain. In pain that is never dull. Paul Lima paullima.c

Tomorrow is a brand new day, I'll change my ways , and watch what I say. Just cos I'm stressed, that's not me at my best. I'll shout and curse, well this is me at my very worst. I have to change and put things right. I'll tuck the kids in and wish them goodnight. I'll find the time, so watch this space we'll each have a smile upon our face. K.MacDonald

When the days seem so alike and nothing much happens to stir the embers of your soul, what would you give to be able to live, change the course of your life’s journey? . Is it a forgone conclusion, a delusional mindset that allows no leeway to your direction? . Have you just surrendered to the inevitable? . What if change ‘was’ possible? If you ‘could’ take a different route, even for a few short years?  Could you adapt? . Or do fears hold us back, and we lack the certitude t

Christmas usually has a magical touch. I enjoying the festivities, But try to make sure not to do too much. Theres always a joyous atmosphere and exciting days, But I'm always praying the illness will actually give me a break. Theres always happy times and happy faces, But I'm keeping mental health struggles hidden in unseen places. Doing my best to keep going, Because nothing I want to miss, I keep telling myself, “I want to be strong this Christmas”.

That dark night falls in, Windows are closed with the drapes drawn, Doors bolted, Heating alight to protect against bitter ice setting in. Familiar faces, Their loving embraces, Not a more treasured place, A crowd in the abode, So why do you feel alone? House is filled with light and personality, It's still dark out of your eyes, A dimmer switch only for you. Voices are in a peaceful motion, Yet you feel commotion, Isolated condemnation, Emotions are broken. Tearful yet tearl

Under my personal Moon I’m in the autumn of my life struggling with MS, Drinking Texas – style iced tea listening to dead leaves as they float toward the frozen landscape pondering the scenes under moon’s shadows. When I think I’ve lost everything, I know it’s just MS, And not me. I can’t think like I use to, But I CAN love. I’ll smell pumpkin pies with Its bright orange’s taste- I can partake mother’s fried chicken, And Southern cream gravy. I’m aware of sunsets as if it’s t

I wake up to yet another day A day with an open canvas A canvas to create the future What oh what will I create A day of wondering why Why our world is what it is A day to choose Goodness A day to pass on kindness A world who helps each other I choose to make a difference A difference to change the world To change the world one person at a time. Michael D Russell

Within the Dead Place West Texas tornadoes strike 365 days in a year in black holes of my brain. Legions of Thunder Clouds are shadows, covering broken bodies, lives, emotions, despair when no one knows – except my body. In the season of my autumn and within the dark side of my Super Moon, I’m in the era of my life, struggling with challenges when people don’t understand, and never will. Am I different than most MS survivors? I hope others do the same: I kick the cowboy boot

Calm is is key, Anger the enemy, Pride a distraction. Andrew Traill

HE SUFFERS SUCH PAIN BUT HARDLY COMPLAINS HIS WIT IS SHARP AND HE JOKES AGAIN AND AGAIN YOU CAN SEE HIS

You’re the Flake in my ice cream Clotted cream on my scone Gemstones in my rings and things Games on my phone Bubbles in my bathtub Gloss on my lips Star in my midnight sky Vinegar on my chips Happiest of birthdays Drew This is what I needed to say You paint my ordinary world So much brighter every day Happy Birthday. Julie Wickens.

A contradiction— I am; live inside of any box, b/c there are no boxes-- I don’t; explain anything to you people b/c y’all are living within your comfort zone-- I can’t; to walk on the straight line— I refuse; structures that define me— I destroy; a contradiction— I am; be what“ they” want me to be— I won’t; to hell— y’all go. Contradiction. Daryl Halencak

She is hungry today. Her skirts are swirling, blue green, frills of lace. Sometimes she appears angry and sometimes calm, always deceiving. She spots the boy, red jumper, blue shorts, running, running. But he can never escape her once she has decided. She increases her speed, watching watching. For a moment it seems as if he will break free. But she reaches out with her icy white fingers and captures him. Within seconds he is gone, no red against the blue green and white. The

All I can say is – “I will live another day stay away , Devil” I wonder if my funeral homily will be written just about MS: crippled fingers – eyes barely focus – impossible balance issues- can’ t type very well. Still, I ain’t dead yet because my psyche tells me, “I think; therefore, I exist.” I can scribble poetic words from a brain with black lesions and holes, struggle with my dark autoimmunity disease with damnable muscle wasting - slow - cognitive abilities. I wonder if

You hear my voice, You see me smile, You think it's not that bad. Inside I'm screaming, Inside I'm arguing, Inside I'm crying. But I won't show as I don't want you to worry. I may stumble, I may forget, Setting a time is setting regret. This is me A new me and It's not coz I'm going to the gym, It's not coz of a new year resolution. I have been forced into these changes, I smile to reassure you that I'm O K You hear my voice, You see my smile. Stefano Cimmino

Now that my words are written down on paper, black and white, someday you may decide that what I've written isn't right. Opinions aren't like words two can never be the same, but if your opinions are written down, they can be heard again. Even though nobody's talking, the words can still be read, so write them down and then we'll know exactly what you said. Fame part 2. K.MacDonald