
The Bag Man- for those who are weighed down right now.
This is mental health awareness week 2020. Our thoughts are with those among us who have or who have had mental health issues as well as their families who often times suffer along side. Mental health is just as important as physical health and just as we are urged to look out for signs of physical illness, so must we look out for signs of mental illness. Not only that, but this week in particular, let’s renew our calls to de-stigmatise mental ill-health. Let’s remember that it’s ok not to be ok. And let’s remember that it is ok to ask for help and it is ok to offer help.
I wrote this poem some years ago and I offer it today for anyone who know what it feel like to be a ‘bag man’ or a ‘bag woman’. May you come to know your true value just as you are and may you come to know a sense of purpose, calm and peace. Solidarity and love today and all days. We’re in this together.
The Bag Man
I was born some time ago
With tiny bags grafted onto each hair follicle
Tiny, invisible collecting bags
They floated emptily
From my newborn hair
Happy, little kites helping me to float
Helplessly, easily
Into life
But collecting bags collect
Things, people, memories, dreams
Wishes, regrets, real or not
All collected in the bags
It is a curious fact
That the nature of the collecting bag
Is such
That the difficult things weigh a little more
Than the happy things
Go figure, but it seems to be
And so….
Nowadays the bags can get heavy
And on some days
Rather than lift me, floating
They make each step
A drag
Legs a little heavier
Mind a little slower
Day a little darker
The bags, you see
Real or not, get full up
And I slow down
But oh, the joy!
On a day when the scissors
Cut loose a bag or two
It does happen
Through forgiveness, reconciliation, closure
Bag gone
Through sifting the real from the imaginary
Bag gone
Through contact, connection and cuddles
Bag gone
And the freedom
No words
Just lightness
Just stillness
Just a beautiful sense
Of being…ok
This poem features in my book, Gym for the Soul. More details here.


One Comment
Theresa Kearney
Yes I have mental health illness. Just now a great big hug from my children and grandchildren would cut a very heavy bag. Please God I beg your intervention during this pandemic to help us find a way to give and receive physical hugs from those we love so much.
Much as virtual hugs make us smile, nothing can replace the real thing.