Humans of ME/CFS
I hate the ME
That people see.
Compression sock lady freak
With five barrettes and a headband
Holding back my unwashed, uncut hair under a Grand Canyon ballcap.
Try to have a conversation with me
And you will leave shaking your head
Wondering what is up with that crazy lady,
Calling a car a banana.
If you think it was hard
To allow you to see me like this
When I was once able to give professional presentations
Come to my house.
Visit me after the smiling pictures are posted to Facebook
When I am so crashed I pee myself.
Lying on the bed
And cannot even whisper for help.
Visit me after, when my head thumps,
And my vision is blurred.
My face burns.
And I do not even have the strength
To swallow the saliva in my throat.
Enjoy my wonderful life
That Facebook portrays.
Pretend my illness doesn’t exist.
I do.
Until I can’t.