Joan engaged with the Forge ARTS for Health project last spring and has blossomed in confidence through connecting with her creative side. The poem describes the true events of what happened in the Tinkers Cafe in Hoyland when a panic attack set in. Joan finds her anxiety stiffling on a daily basis, but as expressed through her gritty wit is determined not to let it spoil her life.
Forge ARTS for Health is a service funded by NHS Barnsley and managed out in the community by the Forge Community Partnership, Hoyland.
A Funny Turn
Cubicle 9- that’s what they said.
Take off your clothes and lie on the bed.
Hustle and bustle in Barnsley Gen,
Full of smart nurses one or two fit men.
Sittin in Tinkers* I couldn’t foresee,
What the day when it started,
Had in store for me.
Feelin hot and sweaty and needin a pan.
Gill and Sharon becoming a blur,
Tryin my best not to cause such a stir.
Rita was brilliant she did her best
But the chair and the table were stuck to me vest.
The looks on their faces gave me a fright
I must have looked a right b……..y sight!
The ambulance came they had a good laugh,
When I said it wasn’t the food they served in the caff!
They stuck a thing in me arm which hurt like mad,
So I looked at the wall and it wasn’t so bad.
They asked for a sample and I went to the loo,
Then back on the bed – there’s an emergency comin thro!
The Doctor was lovely in manner and looks,
The sort that you dream of in women's love books.
He said I was fine, fairly good for me age,
And the bloods that came back were ok at this stage.
So we toddled off home Rita and me
It was just after 4, just in time for our tea.
But its left me uneasy, on edge all the time
So I thought I’d sit down and write this draft rhyme.
If panics your problem, and it wont set you free,
Just count up to 20, but don’t call for me!
Margaret “Joan” Holbrooke
*Tinkers is the Forge Community Café in Hoyland Common, Barnsley