V Day, A Poem

Posted byJennifer PatinoPosted inpoetryTags:, , , , , , , , , ,

V Day

Remembering Saint Valentine is the patron saint of epilepsy
Forgive my muddled texts, I’ve bit my cheek
My mouth tastes of irony
Yes, that’s what I meant to say
I feel a grape in my temporal lobe
I hope it’s seedless
because I don’t need this
bearing forth anymore fruit

I once thought of filming seizures
Or deliberately causing them
as performance art
But that screams of pretension
and even I have my limits

Today I’m rather melancholic
And myoclonic
Some combinations are ouroboric
Isn’t everything feeding off
of another anyway?

I’m not brilliant
Or prolific
It’s just Geschwind Syndrome
My creativity is a symptom
But I’m never ever
going to complain about that

From the Wanderer’s Log: Last night I had two seizures & I still feel like there’s this knot on the left side of my skull. I was in bed & the only injury is a bit cheek. I had this in my head all through the breakfast I wept through. Some days are just like that. I am glad to have woken up. I’m even more glad I woke up & wrote a poem.

Published by Jennifer Patino

Poet in Michigan.

13 thoughts on “V Day, A Poem”

    1. No, there’s no cure for epilepsy yet. I have an intractable variety that unfortunately isn’t controlled by medications. I tried for three years and every combination of them made my seizures worse or caused side effects that made me unable to function. I’m not a good candidate for any surgeries either because I have other health issues. I live ok though. It’s just obviously very challenging. Thanks for reading.

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  4. As am I…

    “I am glad to have woken up. I’m even more glad I woke up & wrote a poem.”

    God keep you and be with you, Jenn. This is an extremely rough patch for you, but over the years, I’ve come to know just how strong you are. You power through every single time. 🙏🏾🩵

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  7. Hi Jennifer, I saw you liked some of my writing and thought I would check out some of yours. I wasn’t expecting such a deeply personal story so well told. This poem is crushingly informing in a beautifully honest way. Everyone should read it.

    I also read your previous post and felt the blunt trauma of it. I feel sad for your situation. Earlier posts suggest you have the capacity to rise above tough challenges. I hope you can access that resourcefulness in these difficult times as well.

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