A poem centered around spoon theory and my practice.
(Image description: A photo of a silver-colored spoon with a couple raspberries on it. Two raspberries are to the spoon’s right and one raspberry to its left, all positioned on a rough, wooden surface.) Credit: Photo by Enrico Sottocorna on Unsplash
In addition to life’s events, I have been having some issues with chronic pain. Naturally, these issues sap my energy and limit how much I can actively do in my practice. While I won’t stop saying prayers, I have to make adjustments in accordance with what my body demands. This poem expresses those limitations and a shift in perspective. I know there’s nothing wrong with the accommodations, but I sometimes have to remind myself of that.
The title of the poem is a reference to spoon theory, a concept developed by Christine Miserandino to describe how people with chronic illnesses and pain feel. A chronically ill person has a limited source of energy, or spoons, to use throughout their day, and some activities take up more spoons than others. Decisions based on available energy levels influences how much energy is put into activities. People who feel that spoon theory applies to their lives are called spoonies.
Spoonie Spirituality
Those days
when my mind
my body
work against me
Those days
when my head
aches like, a hand is
pressing it against a wall
My comforter is Your mantle
the pillows Your shoulder
the bed my hermitage
my sanctuary to rest in
My digital device
a sacred tome
as I whisper prayers to You
a hearth away from my hearth
Each moment here
is a spoon laden
with renewal
and peace
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