Poetry-4-Balance
In honor of National Poetry Month in April, VeDA hosts the annual Poetry-4-Balance contest.
The contest will open again in April, 2025.

2024 Poetry Contest Winners
Click the titles below to read the full poem.
A Symphony Disturbed by Stana Peete
In the realm of chaos, where balance falters,
Lies a silent struggle, unseen and unheard.
A dance disrupted, a symphony disturbed,
Vestibular dysfunction, a battle uncharted.
Within the inner ear, a delicate labyrinth,
Sits the vestibular system, a marvel of design.
But when it falters, a storm begins to brew,
A whirlwind of symptoms, wreaking havoc anew.
Vertigo spins, a relentless carousel,
Dizziness, a disorienting spell.
Nausea churns, an unwelcome companion,
Fatigue clings, an unyielding burden.
The world becomes a shifting tapestry,
Where solid ground feels like shifting sand.
The simplest tasks become a daunting feat,
As equilibrium's thread is gently unthreaded.
But through the struggle, a strength emerges,
A resilience forged in the fires of adversity.
With determination as the guiding light,
Victory in each step, shining ever bright.
Within the storm, a community stands,
Bound by understanding, lending helping hands.
Support and compassion, a lifeline extended,
Together we rise, our spirits never ended.
For in the depths of darkness, hope remains,
As science strives, knowledge ever gains.
A cure may yet be found, a future brighter,
Where vestibular dysfunction no longer blights her.
So let us stand united, hearts intertwined,
Embracing those with vestibular challenges entwined.
With empathy and advocacy, let our voices ring,
For a world where balance reigns, let us sing.
Swirls on the Ceiling by Rachel Brooker
I awoke one day at the start of a new year,
Feeling off balance, with double vision, my thoughts unclear.
I’d been here before, Labyrithitis was diagnosed,
I rested, I couldn’t work, slowly anxiety was exposed.
I didn’t leave the house, too scared of the world outside,
Months passed, all
I could do was sit and hope and hide.
This was at the time the world shut down,
Seeing a doctor was difficult, to my house I was bound.
Although I had the overwhelming urge to sit, to be still,
Itchy feet overtook, plus my stubbornness and my strong will.
So I walked, short distances, consistency was key,
Wobbly legs, shaking hands, I felt free.
Months later I grew stronger and eventually returned to work,
Loving the routine, some normality, but still the symptoms lurked.
Persistent Postural Perceptual Dizziness,
A diagnosis, never heard of, what is this?
Finally a name for the crazy mixture of feelings,
The floating, the tipping, the moving swirls on the ceiling.
An explanation for the sudden intense feeling of fear,
I sensed relief, my symptoms validated, my eyes filled with tears.
I kept pushing, testing my limits, exposure therapy,
Supermarkets, rollercoasters and holidays, I progressed wearily.
Daily dizziness is still present, though not as overwhelming,
The better days outweigh the bad, positive mindset is helping.
I may take more time, tire easily, lean on you and stumble,
PPPD is my condition, not my identity and I will not crumble.
Oh, my Vertigo by Randall Cox
GETTING UP
One morning, I awoke and inside my head was much twirling
And whirling
For a while, I had to sit up in bed before I was ready
To, on my feet, feel even slightly steady
I was in such a panic
I was close to being manic
To myself, I said, “Oh no,
Once again, I have vertigo!”
Slowly and carefully, I walked to my kitchen,
And thought, “This is not bitchin’”
There was so much spinning in my head
I just wanted to go back to bed
My head was spinning like a top
And I just couldn’t get it to stop
I was so dizzy
I was in a tizzy
Even if I did not travel far,
I was not fit to drive my car
In my vehicle, I could go
But that would require a tow
I could not drive,
Dance a jive,
Or even be at work until five
I wondered how I would be able to thrive
I didn't have a clue
As to what to do
Hence, to the heavens, did I emphatically say,
It would really make my day
If I could please just have no
Mo
Vertigo!”
MAKING THE BEST OF IT
Then, thinking that, for me,
Taking things into my own hands would be the key
I tried to embrace the platitude
That one should adopt an attitude
Of gratitude
My thoughts I tried to twist
To be more of an optimist
Though my balance could wax and wane,
I could carry a cane
If I were not so woozy, I could ride a bike
And be as fast as the hare
But, as with the tortoise, a slow, deliberate hike
Could still get me there
Sometimes, having vertigo
Can be a tough row
To hoe
Of this, I know
But, on that, I tried not to dwell
Rather, I tried to think of things that would make me feel swell
Because I didn’t really feel like me,
I decided to drink some calming chamomile tea
Though, at balancing, I had few skills,
I could still enjoy one of life’s small thrills
In spite of being dizzy,
I could sip some lemon water that was fizzy,
Although not at my best,
I could rest
I could do my best to cope
And have hope
Out
And about,
And to and fro,
It was hard for me go
Yet, I could still try my best see my home as a den
Where I could have some feeling of Zen
2023 Poetry Contest Winners
Click the titles below to read the full poem.
Resilience by Jessica Pagan
Amidst the twists and turns of life,
You faced a challenge, one of strife,
A vestibular disorder, a constant battle,
A journey filled with highs and lows, a daunting saddle.
The world spun around you, a dizzying dance,
Balance lost, a struggle for every stance,
Nausea, vertigo, a constant companion,
A test of will, a journey unbidden.
But you did not falter, you did not yield,
You took on the challenge, refused to be sealed,
In a prison of despair, a victim of fate,
You fought back, took charge of your gait.
With grit and determination, you pushed ahead,
Through the uncertainty, the fear and dread,
You found your footing, a new sense of self,
A warrior in the face of an invisible stealth.
Your journey may be ongoing, with ups and downs,
But know that your courage, your spirit astounds,
You are a beacon of hope, a source of inspiration,
A symbol of resilience, a triumph of determination.
The Invisible Assailant by Theresa Cochrane
My assailant visited one late night
Invisible, disruptive, then took flight
My head was put in its vice like grip
Spinning, turning, nauseous I trip
Stole my confidence and self esteem
Took my job, my car, all my dreams
Asked the professionals to find the foe
Scratching their heads they all said no
MRI, bloods and ENT
Audiology, physio and VRT
The road is long the journey bumpy
Acceptance of this new reality
Coming years down the line
But ask me how I'm doing
I will smile and say "I am fine"
Normal by Jane Wallace
We look normal don't we? To others I mean,
Our world can be chaos but it's mostly unseen.
A world full of distorted noise causes me pain
I no longer recognize sound and it drives me insane.
My balance is a struggle, I feel disorientated for sure
Like I'm walking on jelly, not solid floor.
The noises in my head can vary all the time
From wailing sirens to hissing, on the outside I look fine!
Fatigue and brain fog are always in the way
As I battle these challenges, each and every day
The fear of vertigo is real and profound
Especially if it happens when no one's around.
The spinning and the vomiting can bring on shock
Hot and cold sweats, eyes rolling, refusing to lock
The vertigo can last for hours my head glued to the floor
I really don't trust myself to be safe any more.
Each day can be different, symptoms vary greatly each day
So when I awake each morning, 'how am I?' I really can't say.
Rising From a Fall by Stana Peete
It's been five years since I hit my head
I thank God every day that I'm not dead
It's a rollercoaster ride with highs and lows
What I physically feel nobody really knows
It seems vestibular is here to stay
I embrace it as I continue to sway
Loud noises are really troublesome
Vestibular without a doubt is cumbersome
Extreme heat or cold affect me badly
It is what it is ... very sadly
Pungent smells are a real trigger
Nothing deters me and I'm full of vigor
Eyes play tricks on me with different lighting
Good thing I'm stubborn and keep fighting
Not allowed to drive as I'm legally blind
I prefer to be chauffeured and really don't mind
The walker is my constant friend
My tenacious spirit knows I will mend
Physio and drs appts are numberless
Vestibular journey has taught me true humbleness
Wobbles, disequilibrium, and missteps are real
With time and the right mindset I believe I will heal
FALLEN BY AMY PHILLIPS
What fell to the ground was not me. My job, the firm muscle beneath my sleeves, fiery and firing synapses. I tried to hold on. My grip was pried open.
Across the fallen tree of memories and dreams, I teetered with arms outstretched for balance, the promise of solid footing ahead.
SPINNING TO SHORE BY LAURA ROSE
Drunk without intoxication,
Swimming in a sea of medical navigation.
The water churns, rain begins to pour,
I paddle, progress on my journey to shore.
THRIVING BY RACHAEL GINGRICH
Rocking and swaying, like on a boat.
Rocking and swaying, always afloat.
I want to get off this horrible ride.
I will learn to thrive, while riding the tide.