Bitter Pill
My poem Bitter Pill is more autobiographical that much of my poetry, though still not a strictly accurate life story account. It was published in the new writer issue 86, September/October 2007.
Bitter Pill
This is the pill that helps me love my baby.
Even before his birth, the bad fairy cast her spell.
Nothing can break it. Not will power, not wishing.
Nine long months I carefully spun the yarn
of his life before the needle pricked me,
bled me of the love of motherhood.
But one day, someone, something must
hack through the numbness
of this thorny curse, cleave
my need to swallow this bitter pill
and wake me from this deep, uneasy sleep
before my prince has grown too tall.
Comments, Pingbacks:
Comment from: marilyn [Member] 
· http://www.writelink.co.uk/blogs/marilyn
· http://www.writelink.co.uk/blogs/marilyn
Congratulations, Sarah! Brilliant poem.
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13/11/07 @ 15:03
Comment from: daffni [Member] · http://www.merilang.co.uk.shop.htm
· http://www.merilang.co.uk.shop.htm
It is a great poem in my view. Hope it isn't too autobiographical or that you mange to break the spell.
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13/11/07 @ 15:19
Comment from: sarah_james [Member] · http://www.milltech-systems.co.uk
· http://www.milltech-systems.co.uk
Thank you both. And thank you M for your critique of the earlier version.
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13/11/07 @ 18:21
Comment from: sujen [Member]
Hi Sarah, My daughter also suffers and relies on her 'crazy pills' (her words, not mine!) to cope. I will show her this and she will know that she's not the only one in this frustrating position. Brill poem! Congratulations on publication as well.
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13/11/07 @ 19:43
Comment from: sarah_james [Member] · http://www.milltech-systems.co.uk
· http://www.milltech-systems.co.uk
Thanks Sue,
I hope she is doing well.
What I really can't get over is just how many women do suffer from postnatal depression. I know four who've been actually diagnosed with it (three, like me, needed tablets). But I know many more who have never officially been diagnosed and have just managed, with luck or help from family and friends, to keep their head above water.
I wonder if it's always been this way or if we/society expect more from ourselves these days - that dangerous myth/lie that women can have it all!
I hope she is doing well.
What I really can't get over is just how many women do suffer from postnatal depression. I know four who've been actually diagnosed with it (three, like me, needed tablets). But I know many more who have never officially been diagnosed and have just managed, with luck or help from family and friends, to keep their head above water.
I wonder if it's always been this way or if we/society expect more from ourselves these days - that dangerous myth/lie that women can have it all!
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13/11/07 @ 20:57
Comment from: chausiku [Member]
In so few words, Sarah, as always, you touch so deeply.
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15/11/07 @ 00:30
Comment from: sarah_james [Member] · http://www.milltech-systems.co.uk
· http://www.milltech-systems.co.uk
Thanks Paola,
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15/11/07 @ 06:28