Chronic fatigue syndrome explored in new poetry book

‘Poetry From The Bed’ is a compilation of poems written by people with chronic fatigue syndrome (otherwise known as ME) about what it is like to live with the condition.

It started with a small poetry competition and ended with a moving and inspirational book that’s set to be released later this week.

The poetry competition was organised by the Oxfordshire ME Group for Action (Omega).

The charity was so impressed with the standard of work sent in that it decided to publish all of the entries in a single volume.

Author, president of Action for ME, and ME sufferer Clare Francis, said: “These poems movingly demonstrate the sheer bravery and resilience of the human spirit.”

250,000 people are thought to suffer with the condition in Britain, experiencing a range of debilitating symptoms including multi-joint pain, muscle pain and prolonged fatigue.

One contributor, Linda Angeletta from Bicester, explained how writing poetry helped her to convey her ‘world of chronic fatigue’. The condition made it difficult for Linda to carry out even the most simple tasks, including housework and cooking for her family. Writing poetry offered her a release from the isolation and helplessness she felt.

Another poet, aged seven, simply wrote: “Bed, tired, asleep, wake up, tired again.”

‘Poetry From The Bed’ has been financed by a grant from the Co-op Membership Community Fund.

The book will be launched at the Old Fire Station in Oxford on Sunday 11th November.

All proceeds from the sale of the book will go to Omega to help support the 2,500 people thought to have chronic fatigue syndrome in Oxforshire.

To find out how therapy could help you cope with the symptoms of ME, please visit our Therapy Topics page.

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