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# Just Breathing is Enough For Today (A Spoonie’s Poem)
- URL: https://achronicvoice.com/just-breathing-enough-today-poem/
- Published: 2016-12-04T11:10:44.000Z
- Updated: 2025-10-30T11:33:53.000Z
- Author: Sheryl Chan
- Tags: Creativity, Chronic Illness

## Sometimes, Just Breathing is All You Can Do to Get Through a Pain Flare

This poem, "Just Breathing is Enough For Today", describes what it's like when I get [**inflammatory lumps all over my body**](https://achronicvoice.com/visible-evidence-invisible-illness/), especially around my chest area. They pop up without warning, and subside anywhere from within a night to weeks or months. They sometimes [**hurt bad enough that I need painkillers**](https://achronicvoice.com/painkillers-quality-of-life/) just to breathe normally. This is also my first attempt at writing a poem again after a decade. Super rusty but warming up for some new ideas 😉

*\*Disclaimer: This article is meant for educational purposes, and is based on my personal experiences as a patient. *I am not a doctor, and nothing in this article should be substituted for medical advice.* Please consult your own doctor before changing or adding *any* new treatment protocols. This post may also contain affiliate links. It will cost you nothing to click on them. I will get a small referral fee from purchases you make, which helps with the maintenance of this blog. Read our* [***Privacy Policy***](https://achronicvoice.com/privacy-policy/)*page for more information. Thank you!*

Pin to Your Chronic Pain & Poetry:

![(A Spoonie’s Poem) Just Breathing Is Enough For Today](https://storage.ghost.io/c/fe/94/fe943d06-f105-4c71-af52-25403dcbb0b8/content/images/2025/08/spoonie-poem-just-breathing-enough-today-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1.jpg) 

## A Short Poem, “Just Breathing is Enough for Today”

Breathing  
Oxygen rushes to fill the cavities where it hurts.  
Breathing  
In  
Sips.  
Guided by instinct,  
When blood demands for more  
Desperation drinks it all in.

Not too deep  
Not too wide  
Funnelled to broken lungs through a spiky pipe.

Breathing  
Pumping air to swollen lumps.  
Throbbing  
Throbbing  
Throbbing pain.

Breathing  
Just being  
Is enough for today.

![“Breathe. What else in life could be more important than that?” - Sheryl Chan (A Chronic Voice). Beautiful calligraphy penmanship by a friend for one of my quotes.](https://cdn.achronicvoice.com/breathe-quote-calligraphy.jpg) 

Beautiful calligraphy by a friend, using one of my quotes 🙂

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Read Related Posts: 
- [It’s Just One of Those Nights (Poetry on Steroids)](https://achronicvoice.com/one-of-those-nights-poetry-steroids/)
- [An Open Letter to Death, and One Simple Plea](https://achronicvoice.com/letter-to-death-simple-plea/)
- [Chronic Illness Quotes to Inspire, Motivate, Grieve, Hope & Laugh About](https://achronicvoice.com/chronic-illness-quotes/)
- [An Inspirational Poem on Miracles, by Thuli Zuma](https://achronicvoice.com/poem-on-miracles-thuli-zuma/)
- [A String of Bad Days (and What Happened When That Good Day Finally Came Along)](https://achronicvoice.com/bad-days-good-day-finally-came/)

Pin to Your Chronic Illness Life & Poetry Boards:

![Just Breathing Is Enough For Today - Breathing, Being, Surviving.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/fe/94/fe943d06-f105-4c71-af52-25403dcbb0b8/content/images/2025/08/just-breathing-enough-today-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1.jpg) 

### Comments Archives: 

Comments imported from previous WordPress site. 
- Sarah Dec 24, 2018  
As someone with a chronic lung disease I (literally) feel your pain and so greatly appreciate you putting your pain and gratitude for the little/big thing that breathing easily is into words.  

  - [ Sheryl Chan ](https://achronicvoice.com/) Dec 24, 2018  
  Hi Sarah,  
  I’m sorry to hear that you feel such pain so literally 🙁 I wish you many more easy breathing days, and sending you hugs this Christmas x
- Elizabeth Feb 13, 2017  
Thank you so much for participating in our first link up party at The Unbroken Smile. Unfortunately I know so many that can relate to this, thanks for sharing! ((Gentle Hugs))  
– Elizabeth  

  - [ Sheryl Chan ](https://achronicvoice.com/) Feb 13, 2017  
  A pleasure, thank you for having me!
- Natalie | Surviving Life's Hurdles Feb 13, 2017  
Such a beautiful yet heartbreaking poem, with speaks so much of your strength and endurance. Thank you so much for sharing, it really helps to know I’m not alone in dealing with the reality and unpredictability of chronic illness and pain. Best wishes x  

  - [ Sheryl Chan ](https://achronicvoice.com/) Feb 13, 2017  
  Thank you for your kind words, Natalie! Yes we are never alone…lots of us (spread out over the world but connected on the www!) know exactly what it is you’re experiencing, too.  
  We have similar fears, anxieties and hopes.  
  Take care and hope you have a nice little stable day! 😉
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