Those who have experience of sickle cell disorder will understand some of its complexities. This poem was written after a young child ended up in intensive care twice as a result of the complications of sickle cell anaemia, a life-threatening blood disorder.
Although the words of the poem pierce deep into the emotions, it is one of the S Kay Oliver's favourite pieces. "When Sickle Cell Invades" tells a story for many who experience sickle cell disorder, young and old. Some are unable to talk about their personal experience because of different reasons including fear. The poet tells the story for some people who want to share more about the effects of sickle cell disorder. She prays that her work will raise awareness of sickle cell and make a difference to the lives of many patients, parents and carers. More empathy and understanding needs to be shown to those affected by sickle cell disorder and this can only be achieved through a better understanding of the condition and its long-term impact, which is felt on a daily basis.
Personal experience led S Kay Oliver to write this poem. Throughout her life, she has felt that situations of difficulty have never been beyond the comforting hands of God. God always brings her out of the most challenging life experiences. She strongly believes that He will continue to be her guide as she puts her faith in Him.
"WHEN SICKLE CELL INVADES™
What wind doth blow you here?
Of time appropriate, of age or changes in the air?
Of colour or state or social or political affair?
From what region doth ye come?
Of southern hemisphere, of Turkish shores
Of African lineage rich or poor
Or Grecian commodores?
Of what country are ye?
Of sun-kissed Caribbean sands
Or Europe’s Anglo-Saxon lands
Or Asia’s variagated bands?
And of what blood are ye?
Of Africa's race with Europe’s trace
Or Europe’s race with Africa’s trace
What e’er it be
I ask you now to look and see
Some legacies of history
That tie unbinding minds
And take no note of colour or kind
When lovers dwell beneath the sun
And fold their arms ‘neath icy moon
When trees give up their leaves full swing
Young lambs bleat out as daffodils sing
We view our babes in bundles proud
Which none think they’ll be wrapped’n a shroud
But turned they from pictures of health
From avenues of pearls or wheels of wealth?
With swift venomous velocity
And sudden fierce ferocity
The tranquil mood is rent asunder
As lightning bursts the clouds with thunder ..."
by ©The Poet S Kay Oliver. 2002.
This is an extract from S Kay Oliver's poem ‘When Sickle Cell Invades'™ . If you would like to buy the complete book of inspirational poems, please click on this link for details 'A Priceless Gem'.
©Copyright Glasso Afoofa® Publishing 2002-2011. All rights reserved.
No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmited, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publisher.
Last Updated: March 02, 2012