Poetry can be a powerful way to express feelings and experiences that may be difficult to put into words.

Bethany has written a poem “The Flow of Lupus” which reflects on the unpredictable nature of living with lupus.

The flow of Lupus.

As a fast-paced river, I swirled in time.
But as a babbling brook, I felt in decline.

As a turbulent storm, I felt strong and assured.
But a flat cloudy day, left me stifled and moored.

To be a fast river, or a slow flowing brook, was never a choice I willingly took.

To be a dull day or a powerful storm, was the choice of lupus; in it I conformed.

In cloudy, dark days, I seethed with hate.
Never yielding control with this, my fate.

If one day you suffer an illness like this,

Acquiesce it in choice; don’t try to resist.