Allergic Living Poetry Contest

Congratulations to our Grand Prize Winners!

First Place, Adult Category
Mindie Ferkul of St. Catharines, Ontario
Prize: Sharp Electronics Plasmacluster Air Purifer

Collective Impressions

By Mindie Ferkul

I am buoyed
things are running smoothly
on time
we fly out the door
on to our errands galore

surprise, there’s grandma
with fresh, baked love
just for grandson(s)
he beams
she beams
trusted recipe book in hand
lay open to show
secret ingredients
as she stands

no nuts? I ask
as we fly, fly to the car
“no,” she says
knowing our plight
but forgets …

I clutch with grateful thanks
in mid-flight
with long-legged strides
bags in flight behind
running late
quick love hugs
music class awaits

he patiently waits ’til
after supper
for his long-awaited treat

I take
the taste test
just in case
tho’ apparently
it’s ok

with fated green-light
he takes flight
and digs in
with all his might

Marshmallow dreams
chocolate perhaps
‘what’s that other taste’
his body reacts?

moments later
his lips
they swell
he cries “Mama,
I don’t feel so well”

I see his face
I reel backwards
vortex
disbelief

from backwards to forward
I leap
run
call
what exactly were ingredients
word for word
and all?

all I heard
through panic, fear
is “this… that…”
then
“peanut
butter”

slow-motion
impressions
of events
that follow …

feel I dropped the phone
I cry out loud
the name of poison
“find
the
Epi!”

we stumble
we fumble
we rummage
too slow
it feels
by now
he’s ill
vomiting
crying
screaming
by all 3
it seems

He withers,
squirms
as we try
holding him (down)
to get the adrenaline
inside
something went wrong?
What?  It’s rendered wasted?
quickly
grab the second Epi
thankful we have it

somewhere amidst
we call 911
arrive so fast
grateful, 2 minutes or less

Grandma’s here now
shaken with fright
visceral pain
from innocent delight

paramedics amass
like angels
voices of calm
safety
renewing our strength
everything we needed
panic subsides
(just a little)

as we enter
the ambulance
neighbours watch
red sirens awash
tree-lined streetscape
children flash peace
my son sees
through the rear window

vomits anew
alas that’s good
sad
scared
get it all out,
his intruder,
he should

wheelchair into emerg
groggy now
on the verge

the hospital
monitor
we hear beeps
he finally drifts to sleep

watch
a while
send us home late

we hug
release ...
(I quietly cry for weeks)

… learn, move on,
appreciate
those deeply rooted
impressions
of late

he awakens
the next day
with a smile
and fills our life
with a new day of love
long as a mile.

First Place, Teen Category
Abigail Wilson, 15, of Whitby, Ontario
Prize: Roots stainless steel watch

Acceptance

By Abigail Wilson

I am a stranger to you
You do not yet understand
I cannot spare either of us
From the answers I must demand.

You can say that it’s just itchy
That I’ll just get some hives,
But I won’t, ‘cause it’s not like that,
It’s a matter of staying alive.

You can laugh at me secretly,
But say that you’ll be true,
How can I survive like that?
I need your word that I can trust you.

I know that it is very hard,
And I think I’ll understand,
If you don’t want to be friends with me,
I promise I won’t be mad.

I’m not asking you to give up those foods
That you eat, but know I don’t,
And I’m not asking you to change the habits
You’ve developed, but know I won’t.

Buy from the cafeteria,
Then come and sit with me,
Eat your peanut butter for breakfast,
Then please brush your teeth.

I’m not asking you to change your world,
Because I’ve had to change mine,
I’m just looking for a little understanding
From other people of humankind.

For even though my needs are different,
I am still very much the same,
And I know, if you try, you’ll see that.
So do you want to know my name?

First Place, Children’s Category
Cayley Black, 10, of Midland, Ontario
Prize: Olympus Digital Camera

Allergic Living

By Cayley Black

I’m counting the ways,
On windy spring days,
That I have to stay,
Inside, and can’t play.

I’m running at school,
And it’s really not cool,
When I wheeze
Because of the trees.

If I could live in a different world,
Where allergies did not exist,
I could explore that world,
And do things that I’ve missed.

I could eat nuts fallen from trees,
And nuts from under the ground.
No kids would think to tease,
Because my wheezing makes a sound.

But, I do have a bracelet,
Called MedicAlert,
That can speak for me,
When my body’s hurt.

I’ve got an EpiPen,
That can keep me safe,
And a puffer,
In case I make mistakes.

Yes, this world is fine,
I don’t care,
That I have allergies,
To food or air.

I believe I’m responsible enough
To avoid the pollen and the nuts.
So everyone with allergies should have some fun,
And enjoy living - that's number one!

For Second Place Winners and Honorable Mentions, please go to: http://www.allergicliving.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=47]

Thanks to our sponsors: Sharp Electronics of Canada, Roots and Blue Bear Aware. 

Thanks to the judges: Kyle Dine, the allergy singer-songwriter (see www.kyledine.com); Travis Brown, Allergicliving.com’swebmaster (and a poet); and Gwen Smith, AL’s editor.