SALA Artist - Lorraine

Gallery

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Artist Comment

The orchid in the photo had special significance for me as it was given to me by the wife of a very dear friend and long-time colleague shortly before he died. He had frontotemporal dementia and died suddenly and unexpectedly while the plant was at its best.

In Lockdown Forever?

My Musings on ME/CFS - Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Locked down forever, can it be?
Who are these folk you never see?
Who would stay at home all day
when others go to work and play?
Who are those who look so fit,
but seem to only rest or sit?
Who are those who tire so fast,
whose energy never seems to last?

Who are those whose brain conks out
so they forget what they’re about?
Who are those, when standing still,
feel faint and dizzy, sick or ill?
Who are those whose muscles ache,
though others think they’re just a fake?
Who are those whose sleep is poor?
Now you’ve guessed, of that, I’m sure!
They are folk who have M.E. –
a major dis-abil-ity!

Some have pains that drive them crazy,
Yet others think they’re just plain lazy.
Once they were so full of zest,
now it’s rest and rest and rest!
Science yet has brought no answers
despite its many great advances.

Medicine offers little hope,
so they need something more to cope.
How do they get through the day?
Some do art or craft. Some pray.
Some find help through social media.
Some read books or Wikipedia.
Some join groups by doing Zooms.
Others lie in darkened rooms.

Some see beauty in creation, 
even in their isolation.
Some find ways to share and give,
though they hardly seem to live.

Acts of kindness have their part,
in warming the most weary heart.
Some take time to think things through
more than once they used to do.
Some review their lives to date
How do their former values rate?
“Why am I here?” some well may ask.
“What can I do? What is my task?”

“I can’t be busy anymore.” 
“Life’s so different from before!”
Some see M.E. as a curse - 
can’t think of anything that’s worse.

Grief and loss of many things
are just what this condition brings.
Yet even while their losses pining
clouds may have a silver lining.
Some see M.E. as a chance
to let their life of faith advance.
Some find peace by trusting God, 
and others think they’re really odd.

Life is never what they planned,
as all will surely understand.
Without a sure and lasting hope,
I, for one, would never cope.

Lorraine B - Adelaide, South Australia

Description of the photo

Photo of a seven white orchid blooms (Phalaenopsis aphrodite) with soft purple to wine red centres and three green buds on a dark green stem which is clipped onto a stake. The photo is set into text and on it's own.

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