You harridan, you, you hissing witch
Photo Credit: Will Pennington
Oh you harridan, you hissing hag
your constant kvetching connives
to wither worry wear my nerves
ignobly ignoring the pain your
purple preying pollution plays
upon my brain while stealthily
stealing my sanity
A snake awakes to hiss alarm to
warn away a wandering arm or hand
or leg and only bites in fear of fateful
deed, but you you harridan you
hissing hag you ringing rag, you
cranky cricket chirping in my ear
I cannot rid you from my head
Oh, you wicked wanton witch
I cannot see you I cannot stand
you I cannot abide you but you ride
me ragged when I close my eyes
and sleep deprived I count the treble
tones you use to taunt my tired mind
so, useless is it to ignore you
Oh, for the days when ear fed
sounds sang softly in my head
like nursery rhymes from mama’s
lips instead of raucous ringing
raging like some trumpeter’s sharp-
pitched horn hitting highs that
shatter wine glass into shards
The overwhelming urge to scream to
cry relief! to beg to cry! to cry! to cry!
for ears I gave to sounds of war that
now come home to roost and root
inside my head as payment for a lack
of double muffled ears that might have
soothed your savage breast
I sometimes feel a welcome death might
give the peace I crave from constant
nagging noises sharp and piercing through
my nights and days but, worry not, I am
not alone yes thousands suffer alongside me
suffering in silence
how ironic, don’t you think?
The Writings of William C. Pennington 
Oh, I can’t imagine. Mine is mild, worsened when I take aspirin or Advil, but nothing like you’ve described. I’ll bet it’s hard to concentrate.
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It can be. I tune it out after a while, but it’s always there, ready to strike at the slightest cause.
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I experienced tinnitus when caring for my mother who has psychotic Alzheimers. It resolved when I returned home. I believe it was triggered by overwhelming distress ,no time to examine my responses, nor ability to extinguish the cause. I hope you find relief. Or find a way to cope. Mine was buzzing and music. Sounds ridiculous but there moments I thought I had “caught” my mom’s illness.
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I am sorry you have to deal with this
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Thank you. Tinnitus is a small price to bear for coming home with all my limbs. Some folks have it much worse. I’m grateful for the hand that watched over me.
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I have a friend with a real burden from over there.If he could express it in words like you do, I bet it would comfort him
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Maybe he just needs encouragement. Most folks don’t know they can write until nudged. Does he get the help he needs?
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Yes, he has a lot of support.
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So sorry to read about this, Will, but chickens don’t have ears like people do. We have missed you, and think about you often, especially whenever we go down George Washington Highway past the Commissary. It was nice to see you had read and seen our latest. Hope you and yours are doing well, and Hey, Keep Writing! We would still love to do a book cover for you!
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