READING CORNER

Mary Bell

So now proud as punch I wear my blue top My peer support role I’ll never swap, And throughout this pandemic as hard as it’s been I’m so thankful I’ve met such good friends on the screen.

So now when I look in the mirror I see A true reflection of life-loving me

My Mirror and me ~ Mary C Bell

When I look in the mirror what do I see, It’s a fractured resemblance of someone like me. I’m battered and bruised and I feel so alone I really don’t know if I’ll ever get home

I’m a teacher an artist, a lover, a mum And so many other things rolled into one It’s hard to believe I was someone that mattered when I look at my body so broken and shattered

I love to have gel in my short spikey hair But no one has time, and I can’t put it there I can’t hold a pen a fork or a book And I’m deaf so can’t even listen so for now I just look. So looks what I do and I see folk advance And I hope beyond hope that there might be a chance That for someone like me there’s a future ahead And that day will soon come when I get out this bed.

The times really passing now four months, then five I’ve got wheels and I’m mobile and feeling alive I’m moving my arms and my shoulders can shrug And I can almost manage a ‘wobbly’ hug.

With Physios helping with hand function too I’m sitting with others t’was long overdue And planning for home preparations begin I’m excited, can’t wait! Oh my heads in a spin.

To my brothers in arms I say my goodbyes And as we’re driving away I have tears in my eyes

I’m feeling quite scared of the new days to come As I’m still making sense of the me I’ve become.

Now many years have rolled past 17 maybe more Who would have believed what my life had in store I’m back teaching music my joy and delight My life has a purpose, my future so bright

But my story’s not finished, it doesn’t end yet. A meeting last summer I’ll never forget. Apply for this job Mary - you will be great But I’m rubbish at interviews - Oh what a terrible state

Our member Annie Sturgeon has started a shared reading group on Zoom for our members

Sessions last an hour, once a month

"The sessions are free and you can come and go as you please (they won't be in a series so it wouldn't matter if you miss any), each session would stand alone and you'd book your free space through Eventbrite We would read and comment on linked poems, short stories or extracts There's no homework! We can take turns to read aloud but there's no obligation Open Book usually chooses the theme and I'll find the pieces we'll read, OB suggest some as well I think it could be an interesting focus for a zoom meet that has nothing to do with SCI but adds another dimension to our wonderful zoom connection "

Contact Annie via email: imagesofbirds@gmail com for more information and to sign up

See www openbookreading com for more information on what they do