Me and my ostomy

ME AND MY OSTOMY.





‘Twas not an answered prayer for me

to ‘have’ to have an ‘Ostomy’.



It’s no more easy to adjust

just because something’s a ‘must’.



I could whine and feel quite sad

but now it’s done it’s not so bad.



Bright blood - red as it could be

it’s not unlike a rose to see.



Rose red colour, shape as well

shame it hasn’t got same smell.



Bulbous shapes surround a hole

as if formed by mini-mole.



Shows sensuous femininity

plus protruding masculinity.



There is base beauty to be found.

in this mucus membrane mound.



I appreciate it’s feel when warm

and celebrate its rounded form.



When washing with the water cold

it shrivels like it’s growing old.



Predictably it starts to grow

once warm internal fluids flow.



I must surmise how I might be

without my mighty Ostomy.



Pre–ostomy I had much pain

that I would not want back again.



Pre-ostomy as I recall

I hardly had a life at all.



From all that painful past I’m free

now my stoma’s part of me.



Bill Withers 2011

Beautiful poem. Deep thoughts.

Wonderful...

Thank you so much Rosie and Jupiter for your supportive comments. Best wishesBill

Just read your beautiful poem again. Makes me feel better!

Getting Support in the Ostomy Community with LeeAnne Hayden | Hollister

Hello Rosie. I am so glad you liked it. Getting such feedback from people like yourself makes me feel good too. Of all the loads of people who read these verses it is only those who make some comments that can make the effort seem worthwhile. Best wishesBill

This is great! You either have to laugh about this or make something beautiful out of it. Very nice!!

Loved your poem. I always think this is what's keeping me alive.

Hello kayakjan and kaikaha, Thank you for your comments as it is not everyone who can appreciate such verses, so when I get this type of feedback it means so much to me. Best wishesBill

Recently, I received a diverting ileostomy for the second time with much hesitation. I am still post-op and trying to adjust. However, your poem is inspiring and gives me hope that I can feel better one day soon. I hope I can reach that place.

Helo Jaxdog. Thank you so much for letting me know that you appreciated the verse and got some inspiration from it. It is feedback such as yours that provide my own inspiration so hopefully we help each other on a site such as this. Here's hoping that you feel much better very soon. Best wishesBill

Hello Bill, I reiterate what other people have been saying in that your poem is really beautiful. To that end, I am wondering if you would be able to give me permission to add it to my website, A Guide To Living With A Stoma, www.living-with-a-stoma.co.uk, since I believe that it would help many ostomates worldwide. I run my website on a voluntary basis, and it is independent and impartial. I set up the website to help ostomates worldwide with information, not as a money-making venture. Perhaps you would be kind enough to email me at jean@living-with-a-stoma.co.uk and let me know. In the meantime, take care. Many thanks, Jean.