garnigal: (Default)
[personal profile] garnigal

My mind and body betray me on a daily basis.

They betray me in simple ways: stumbling over my words in an important meeting, an uncontrollable fart in a silent yoga class.

They betray me in complex ways: shaking hands, broken glass and I dissolve into tears, certain I’ve ruined everything.

They betray me to my family, to my friends, to my co-workers. To those I love and those I tolerate and those I downright hate.

They betray me in bright light: unsatisfied with the body in the mirror.

They betray me in darkness: eyes closed and yearning for sleep that won’t come.

But each day is new, fresh. But each day is an opportunity. But each day I try to improve. But each day I try to make one person happy.


  • Husband says he loves me

  • Child holds me tight

  • Mother invites me for dinner

  • Father drives to the ends of the earth

  • Brother tells a joke

  • Friend shares a coffee

And I lay in bed and count my blessings.

My mind and body betray me, but…

My heart and soul are full.


Date: 2016-11-22 03:11 pm (UTC)
jerusha: (Default)
From: [personal profile] jerusha
I really liked the poetry of this piece.

Date: 2016-11-22 07:25 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] garnigal.livejournal.com
Thanks. It's weird, not writing fanfic. :)

Date: 2016-11-22 03:16 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] dmousey.livejournal.com
Boy do I understand bodily betrayal, the struggle is real! Nice delivery and flow. I enjoyed this- so you made me smile for the day. Peace~~~D

Date: 2016-11-22 07:26 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] garnigal.livejournal.com
Thank you so much. I've gotten through just over 40 entries today, and it's been amazing to read everyone's work.

Date: 2016-11-22 06:36 pm (UTC)
desdemonaspace: by <lj user="Teragramm"> (Default)
From: [personal profile] desdemonaspace
Honey! Is there anything I can do for you??

Date: 2016-11-22 07:29 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] garnigal.livejournal.com
Aww, thanks M. This was a bit of a stream of consciousness piece for a writing contest I'm in (therealljidol). The prompt was "I need the struggle to feel alive", and somehow this is what I ended up with.

I won't deny that I feel like this at times, but not as constantly as the piece makes it seem. Besides, I've got all those hugs from VV!

Date: 2016-11-22 11:44 pm (UTC)
desdemonaspace: by <lj user="Teragramm"> (Default)
From: [personal profile] desdemonaspace
Oh, duh. Well I am relieved.

Date: 2016-11-23 01:57 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] garnigal.livejournal.com
Hey, you made me feel good just by letting me know you care.

Date: 2016-11-23 01:06 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] lilmissmagic71.livejournal.com
I like the sort of raw litany you've got going here...

Date: 2016-11-23 01:58 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] garnigal.livejournal.com
Thanks. Very stream of consciousness, very different from my usual.

Date: 2016-11-23 04:51 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] snogged.livejournal.com
I enjoyed the poetic flow this took.

I'm sorry to hear that you have so much pain to deal with.

Date: 2016-11-23 01:59 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] garnigal.livejournal.com
Thank you, I appreciate the compassion. It's not as bad as it sounds, being inspired by a prompt about needing a struggle to feel alive. I've got a good family and a good job, just sometimes... those yoga farts sneak out, you know. :)

Date: 2016-11-23 09:56 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] dreamsofspike.livejournal.com
Beautiful. Very poetic and 100% relatable. Love it.

Date: 2016-11-23 01:59 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] garnigal.livejournal.com
Thank you. I like my poetry realistic. :)

Date: 2016-11-26 01:50 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] kajel.livejournal.com
I like the way this flows. Great job!

Date: 2016-11-30 02:57 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] garnigal.livejournal.com
Thank you!

Date: 2016-11-27 01:33 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] karmasoup.livejournal.com
It's a wonderful thing to be grateful for what one has, but especially in the face of struggles. Cheers.

Date: 2016-11-30 02:57 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] garnigal.livejournal.com
Thank you for reading!

Date: 2016-11-27 02:19 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] halfshellvenus.livejournal.com
Oh, such a beautiful ending to a paean to focusing on the positive. These are still blessings, perhaps even more cherished because of the uncontrollable things that are not.

Date: 2016-11-30 02:58 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] garnigal.livejournal.com
Thank you.

Date: 2016-11-27 10:46 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] wolfden.livejournal.com
I really like the poetry of this piece.

My body betrays me often. We are frequently not at peace.

Date: 2016-11-30 02:58 pm (UTC)

Date: 2016-11-29 01:12 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] dmousey.livejournal.com
I enjoyed this- thanks for sharing. Peace~~~D

Date: 2016-11-30 03:38 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] garnigal.livejournal.com
Thank you!

Date: 2016-11-29 01:56 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] my-name-is-jenn.livejournal.com
I love the flow of this ♥

Date: 2016-11-30 03:39 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] garnigal.livejournal.com
Thanks. I do enjoy writing poetry that isn't poetry at all.

Date: 2016-11-29 05:08 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] mamas-minion.livejournal.com
Very poetic, I am glad you can find happiness in the face of struggle.

Date: 2016-11-30 03:39 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] garnigal.livejournal.com
It's a good family. :)

Date: 2016-11-29 01:55 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] baxaphobia.livejournal.com
"My mind and body betray me, but…

My heart and soul are full."
This! Nicely done!

Date: 2016-11-30 03:39 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] garnigal.livejournal.com
Thank you.

Date: 2016-11-29 07:16 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] murielle.livejournal.com
((Gentle Hugs))

This is the definition of the prompt. Thank you for sharing it with us.

Date: 2016-11-30 03:40 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] garnigal.livejournal.com
Always the trick with first person - how to make it seem real and immediate without making people freak out about me. :) I'm doing well, and I suppose it is a sign of good writing that people are concerned.

Date: 2016-11-30 05:13 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] murielle.livejournal.com
Then, even more kudos to you! (Smile)

Date: 2016-11-29 07:38 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] penpusher.livejournal.com
Of course we relate to this because this has all happened to us. It's a universal, yet intensely private joke we play on ourselves, and certainly, as a clown, it all relates back to the common core: being human!

Date: 2016-11-30 03:40 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] garnigal.livejournal.com
Yup, that fart in yoga will get you every time!

Thanks for reading.

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