Sickness Is a Place | Shannon E. Perry

Sickness is a Place

“Sickness is a place,” said Flannery O’Connor Before she died at the age of 39. A nurse, I worked in places of sickness From the age of 21.

Before she died at the age of 39 She lived long with pain and distress From the age of 21 I mourned for those who suffered and died.

She lived long with pain and distress And wrote of things usually left unsaid. I mourned for those who suffered and died And said the things that must be said.

She wrote of things usually left unsaid And published them in stories and books I say the things that must be said And write of them in records stored.

She published them in stories and books Which are read in places of sickness I write of them in records stored For others to learn from written word.

Which are read in places of sickness A nurse, I worked in places of sickness That others may learn from written word Flannery was right, “Sickness is a place.”

Shannon E. Perry

Poetry