Stubbornly Determined
I need to stay in charge,
for a while longer at least.
I am not ready to pour myself
into a pair of soft, easy trousers,
delicious promise of comfy
waistband (broad, of course),
nice and high, to contain
escaping ripples;
so I continue to dress
horizontally, edging reluctant
jeans till they nestle irritatingly
on complaining, incredulous hips.
And if the early morning air is
tinged with a little colour as I
wrestle a mocking button and
zip, then so be it – as long as the
comfy waistband is waiting in the
wings, all will be well.
journeyintopoetry 
May 10, 2012 @ 12:50:54
Lol, I have a pair of those comfy pants too. Nicey done 🙂
May 11, 2012 @ 13:18:08
Thank you! Comfort is all – not quite yet!! 🙂
Christine
May 10, 2012 @ 13:14:38
I love the term “dressing horizontally”!! such an original expression, and so easy to relate to! wonderful poem, love you, Linda
May 11, 2012 @ 13:20:01
Thank you Linda. Yes I have become quite adept at fastening those zippers horizontally!! 🙂
May 10, 2012 @ 13:40:14
Christine, your words, as always, a treat!
Léa
May 11, 2012 @ 13:20:35
Thank you so much Lea! 🙂
hristine
May 10, 2012 @ 15:47:02
Hi Christine
This is funny 🙂 I am not sure what you mean by dressing horizontally. It reminds me of how I used to try and get into too tight jeans a long time ago, lying down?
Personally I wear what ever is comfy. Never will I wear a corset, or any clothes that tell me there is a restriction on stretch. Clothes must fit us, shape around us, not the other way around lol. I think you should wear what ever makes you feel good 🙂 and if it is comfy jeans, it is comfy jeans; if it is something elegant, then go for it 🙂 Never wear anything you don’t really want to!
Love and hugs xx
May 11, 2012 @ 13:22:56
Thank you Ina!
Im afraid I still love my jeans however difrcult the zip is becoming (that’s mainly due to the damn MS though) but I love wearing them so am am not prepared to give them up yet! 🙂
Love and hugs xx
May 10, 2012 @ 17:12:30
Mmmm, I can identify too clearly with your fun poem Christine. I seem to wear flat shoes more often now, though I love heels.
May 11, 2012 @ 13:26:43
I think it comes to us all eventually Susan, the comfort outweighs the style 🙂 But it is important to me at this point in my journey not to give in too easily to things I still want to hold on to. Psychologically it’s important, I mean; not for vanity’s sake but for my feeling of independence and control, if that makes any sense 🙂
Christine
May 10, 2012 @ 18:25:38
I agree with, Ina. I think how you feel in clothes shows too. So many women these days hobbling (and they do hobble…even when they think they’re strutting sexily) in stilettos and platform shoes.
I do love the phrase ‘so I continue to dress horizontally’…because I think it has a very layered meaning for you and what you are dealing with…the whole poem is so much more than about clothes.
This is perfect and once again, shows your ability to find humor and hope in life and art…
‘And if the early morning air is
tinged with a little colour as I
wrestle a mocking button and
zip, then so be it – as long as the
comfy waistband is waiting in the
wings, all will be well.’
Love and hugs, Diane
May 11, 2012 @ 13:28:53
Diane,
Thank you so very much for this insightful comment. And you are so, so right – this poem is about much more than clothes.
Thank you so much for walking into the poem and observing everything in the forest :):)
Much love and hugs
Christine xx
May 10, 2012 @ 20:15:36
Made me smile Christine! Wonderfully playful – I feel both honesty and determination from this. 😀
May 11, 2012 @ 13:31:18
Thank you so much Eve. That is exactly what the poem was about – my determination not to give in; not to clothes but to all aspects of my current struggles in life :):)
And although I’ve already said it, a great big CONGRATULATIONS to you!! :):)
Christine
May 10, 2012 @ 20:19:03
Good for you!
May 11, 2012 @ 13:37:36
Thank you very much Sandy 🙂
Christine
May 10, 2012 @ 20:52:35
This is SO Fabulous, Christine!! Really, I love it! Even though I confess I’ve given up the fashionable look–gone to large everything, for comfort. Thanks for the lift today (no pun intended)! Have a much-blessed day. love, Caddo
May 11, 2012 @ 13:40:56
And thank you for the laugh Caddo! The pun, intended or not made me laugh out loud!
Much love to you
Christine xx
May 16, 2012 @ 00:49:11
Hi Christine–I know you’re not at the computer right now–but I wanted to “visit” you anyway! I’m so glad that my pun made you laugh–that makes my day! I also wanted to share something cool–remember our chats about “Jesus Wants Me For a Sunbeam”, and how sweet you were to email me the lyrics? Well, guess what? Today I found a CD of 50 Bible Songs for Kids–and that one is on it!! So I’m really looking forward to hearing it now! Thanks so much–and I’m praying for you to have a good evening–God bless you BIG!! love, sis Caddo
May 16, 2012 @ 10:40:43
Lots of big :):)
xx
May 10, 2012 @ 22:56:29
Dressing horizontally – I particularly like this phrase and the notion of the trousers as a symbol of determination. Simple, yet clever. Love it. 🙂
May 11, 2012 @ 13:42:53
Thank you Holly, particularly for seeing a little further into the poem. It can be read for its face value, of course, but yes, there was more to it than that :):)
Love
Christine
May 11, 2012 @ 17:48:16
The multi-levels definitely show through. 🙂
May 10, 2012 @ 23:23:06
Christine,
I read far more into these words than what I see on the surface.
As a woman who struggles to get her body to obey her commands I find this poem uplifting and awe inspiring. I too have times when frustration causes the air to be “tinged with a little colour” (I do love that phrase). Sadly this sometimes happens in the driveway when I drop things I’m trying to retrieve from the car. Luckily my neighbour is a kind, helpful woman with a sense of humour.
Big hugs
Tricia
May 11, 2012 @ 13:46:40
Thank you Tricia.
I can empathise with the sentiments in your comment. And I’m pleased you could see below the surface of this poem – it’s important to me, because, although much of what I write has a light-hearted air to it (that’s for my benefit), it obviously has much greater depth :):)
Love and HUGS
Christine
May 11, 2012 @ 00:12:35
Love it, Christine. This is something I have to battle being a stay-at-home mom, there are many days when I don’t even want to get out of my pajamas, but I always feel better when I put on something nice. I love the subjects you tackle also, I never know what to expect next 🙂 …such fun!
May 11, 2012 @ 13:49:10
Thank you so much Emma!
I used to be a stay-at-home mum so I can empathise with your feelings. Now I’m a stay-at-home grandma!!! Time flies though they are still babies yet – I am drawing the time out to make it last!! :):)
Christine
May 11, 2012 @ 02:01:29
Christine, this made me smile – I like comfy clothes, can’t stand anything that even hints of “tight”. (I don’t even like turtlenecks – can’t stand anything that close around my neck!) My solution – long, flowing skirts, with elastic waists. 🙂 Or when necessary my stretched out jeans! Love the poem and your sense of humor. 😀
May 11, 2012 @ 13:51:39
Betty, thank you!
I hate turtlenecks too!! I have done for years, they make me feel as though I’m being choked! 🙂
I, too, love long flowing skirts, wafting in the breeze a little :):)
Much love
Christine xx
May 11, 2012 @ 14:40:12
Christine, do you realize, dear girl, how many teenage girls who are VERY able bodied lie on the bed to zip up their “sexy” way-too-tight jeans? (tee,hee!) I loved this poem of self-confession. Hope you receive those new comby slacks very soon, though! Blessings on you and Jack!
May 15, 2012 @ 16:34:56
Thank you Rose! I think the comfy trousers will be upon me sooner rather than later! 🙂
Lots of love to you
Christine xx
May 16, 2012 @ 02:27:47
Ahhh, Christine, and please do not respond to this, I enjoyed reading this poem. It is lighthearted, of course, coloring the air and all, but also has a way of letting us know your spirit, fighting against comfortable jeans, while, at the same time, recognizing that there is a time… Your indomitable spirit is always inspiring, though I know how hard things can sometimes become. Hooray for you.
May 16, 2012 @ 10:35:08
:):)
May 16, 2012 @ 17:54:53
This is so cute and humorous a scene, and between the lines I keep seeing “fortitude”. LOVE IT. 🙂
May 17, 2012 @ 17:34:45
Thank you Pete!
And yes, the poem is about much more than trousers 🙂
May 17, 2012 @ 17:25:59
Beautifully written! When at home, I prefer those comfy pants, though.
May 17, 2012 @ 17:35:38
Thank you very much!
And I know what you mean:)
“The lady doth protest too much” !!:)
May 19, 2012 @ 11:57:14
Love this!
May 19, 2012 @ 13:45:14
Thank you very much Jennifer!
Of course, as you can probably see, the poem is about much more than a pair of trousers. I haven’t been writing long but I can see a pattern emerging where, when they relate to me, they seem to be tinged with humour, however sad. I think this must be something to do with my attitude of determination regarding the MS so they are very much self-help poems really 🙂
Christine
Jun 18, 2012 @ 18:45:17
you write from the emotions of heart
you are gifted Christine….
I love this one….
I have an issue with an arm, and I know the overuse of the other one
comfy pants are easier LOLs…
Thank you for sharing your world…
I will enjoy wandering through
Take Care….
You Matter..
00(
maryrose
Jun 20, 2012 @ 08:48:30
Thank you very much Maryrose,
This is a wonderful heartfelt comment and is so much appreciated.
I am not posting poems at the moment as I’m not supposed to be typing much. But when my hand is more rested and, hopefully, better I will be back! 🙂
I am on my way to meander through your blog 🙂
Christine
Mar 27, 2013 @ 13:35:28
Good Morning, Christine, I’m delving into your “oldies” that I’ve missed (woke up early) and I love this one…the playfulness, the fun visuals, and better yet, the determination that lies in between the lines…love it and can relate literally to comfy sweats when lounging around the house! Oh, and I only wear flats now! HBL 🙂
Mar 27, 2013 @ 14:43:00
Thank you Lauren!
I am still determined to keep wearing these jeans!! Lol
But of course the poem was about much more than that as you “saw” when you read between the lines.
Its quite nice revisiting some of my older poems, so thank you very much for taking the time to read them!
HBL ❤ xxx
Mar 27, 2013 @ 14:44:39
You’re very welcome! There’s so many wonderful posts we miss when life gets in the way and it saddens me, but there’s no humane way to keep up, either…anyway, hugs! ♥