Embracing Creativity in Narcolepsy

I always hated studying poetry in English Literature. I think it was because we studied poetry that I never connected to.

However,  over the past couple of years I started reading poetry on Instagram. Reading poetry that means something to me sparked a new love for poetry. I love that with poetry it can be left to interpretation and people can take meaning from it as they wish. I love that people can connect to it in different ways.

Writing my own poetry

The more I read, the more inspired I felt to write my own. It is a great way for me to express my feelings and capture how I feel or what something is like in a way that general writing cannot. The fact that it's open to interpretation makes it feel less vulnerable sometimes.

As it's open to interpretation, you are sharing your feelings without explicitly stating them. I find this to be really therapeutic, as I'm expressing my feelings but not worrying so much about what people will think. I love creating extended metaphors to communicate an experience in a way that can be understood by everyone. Whether it's people who have experienced something similar and can relate, or it's people that don't know what it's like but are able to picture what it's like.

My poem about narcolepsy

I always wanted to write a poem that captures how I feel about narcolepsy. However, I very rarely sit and decide that I'm going to write a poem. My creativity works best at random, so I wait for inspiration to come to me.

One day I was sat just thinking about the way that narcolepsy really can feel like fighting a never-ending battle. This then provided me with inspiration for an extended metaphor which led to me writing the following poem. I hope you enjoy.

Narcolepsy and its weapons

starts with a weapon of mass destruction

of the switch essential to biological function

something that for which there is no mend

serves as a catalyst for a battle that knows no end

it holds you hostage every night

inside the cinema of fear and fright

straps you into the front row seat

broadcasts horror films on repeat

screen one plays the traumas of your past

filled with people you love in its cast

screen two plays your deepest fears

cheeks drenched from terrified tears

there's more ammunition in its collection

this one a weapon of projection

luciferian phantasms cast into your real world

simultaneously depriving your ability to move and be heard.

automatic rifle firing at your ability to stay awake

bullets of sleepiness that you cannot shake

strong emotion sending you into collapse

forced to armour yourself with medication and naps

the lines between sleep and wakefulness are blending

it's a battle that is never-ending

Do you find creativity helps you to express yourself? Do you like reading or writing poetry? If you have any poetry of your own, I'd love to read it!