Pho - an insightful poem about agoraphobia/social phobia

agoraphobia.. I'll let the poem tell the story how Pho occupied my life.... for a while anyway.

Pho

That first overcast day when Pho floated in
I wasn't in a good mood for chit chatter
Cantankerous lover gone, my mind a spin
Like a fly on the wall, Pho saw the batter.

In time,

As my emotions stormed, Pho settled in reply
My mind, way too addled to manage study
Unlike grudging lover, Pho sat to comply
Not keenly social, Pho became my buddy.

In time,

Regular door knocks began to clap thunder
Incessant phone ringing loudly cut the air
Sweaty palms beneath the sheet I lay under
Unaware Pho's amicability was my despair.

In time,

Weetbix dry, coffee wet - black if milk ran out
Vegemite toast not too bad without butter
Everything bland to avoid going about
Downhill to the shop or past a true nutter.

In time,

Weeks clipped days, clouding many a moment
Waking up often feeling numb in my head
Pho on my side seemed to augur atonement
Not taking calls from people, I slept instead.

In time,

Telly switched on infected the living room
At PM's children overboard I screamed COWARD!
While blinkered spats reinforced refugees' gloom
I lost God under fixed images of J. Howard.

In time,

Post box flooding, the mail slid under my door
As for reading, my nausea ended it
Left correspondence unopened on the floor
When debt piled higher nobody tended it.

In time,

Drearily I slopped about in smelly attire
A sign I was past caring for my vocation
Pho hissed to skip showers. The water, fire
High in Waterloo battles I held my location.

In time,

My daughter came for a visit chewing gum
Looking forward to our catch up tea and talk
Altering my dark space she screeched, Aw, shit Mum!
And insisted we break time with a brisk walk.

In time,

While we paced down hill, I scanned the road
Bugged by Pho's presence, daughter protested,
Mum, not being rude, but Pho's a hell of a load
There outdoors, my state of being, contested.

In time,

An expert was found to discuss Pho's fate:
This specialist knew that to avoid detection
Pho's puny name was intended to understate
The full nature of Pho's nasty description.

This time,

Disrupting Pho's ample aggression in its prime
Psychotherapist prudently planned utopia
Scripting a diagnosis toward a life sublime,
I started treatment to expel Agoraphobia.

Copyright(c)Lili Tuwai 20

No part of this poem can be reproduced without prior permission from the author.

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[medicinesocks]

tremendous. and have you vanquished your pho?

[reVerse2bfree]

Definitely, Pho no longer lives here! I appreciate your comment, thanks :o)

[projektatom]

amazing.

[reVerse2bfree]

ditto :o)

[yellsbells]

Thank you very much for your wonderful poem. i look forward to reading more. :)

[reVerse2bfree]

thank u heaps 4 your encouraging words. Much love 2 U ;o)

[tarantula982]

I meant to say..since i dont do many videos.

[tarantula982]

Poetry live for the delivery of the speech. You did an outstanding job! I was looking for poet that takes showers in the dark..as i do sometimes. I have something different to offer this world as a poet....yet i cant seem to pull my mind in deep enough. Outstanding delivery....outstanding voice! Maybe you could check mine. Though i do many videos.

[PowderSpirit3]

i hear you - maybe too well

.. your share lets me know that i am not all alone even though it feels that way

thankYOU

[ChrissyQlikesYOU]

Excellent! I really relate!

[RandomRosemary]

This is really good, it's amazing and VERY helpful.

[newkirk915]

Lili,I have no first feel for this story, but I do live with it vicariously. each word that you read was an image of someone close to me. I love this piece even if it is filled with pain. Jacob

[sadiebroom]

this poem reminds me of what I went through a few years ago. i'm good now although i constantly battle with social anxiety. well written poem

[nayomee77]

Thanks for sending me this. Very well written!

I hope others will feel some comfort in knowing they aren't the only ones who go or have suffered from this.

Take care!

[goodnewsmama]

Wow...I really love your poetry. You are so gifted! I can only hope that one day I might be able to express myself so eloquently and as beautifully as you.