"Raynaud's Syndrome*," by Julianna Britt

Every winter, I watch as those around me get to painlessly enjoy the cold weather without worrying about the effect it will have on their bodies and on their heart. I wrote this poem to channel my grief at what I am missing out on and as an attempt to get others to understand the pain of Raynaud's.

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Rocking on the floor

And sobbing, the pure agony of

Yearly winters taking hold of my hands and squeezing tight. The

Numb, stinging prickles that

Attack my hands when the cold bites the skin

Underneath my gloved hands.

Does anyone understand pain, I wonder? The less expected, but more

Severe pain that comes along with the blood returning

Slowly, burning my hand from the inside out with each pulse of a heartbeat, I almost

Yearn for the cold to numb them again. For

No amount of

Dressing in warm layers, coats upon coats, can

Reverse the dysfunction

Of

My capillaries. and so I’ll have to live with the

Excruciating pain of the cold.

*Raynaud's Syndrome: A condition that causes blood vessels in the hands and feet to narrow in response to cold. This restriction of blood flow can cause discoloration, discomfort, and pain.