Poetry's Remarkable Power in Describing Long Covid | With A. K. Davidson

In the second video of this series, I talk to Anna Davidson about her recently released collection of poems that describe the enormous breadth of the experience of suffering with Long Covid.

We discuss how Anna came to write poetry, why it's so effective in describing the condition, and Anna reads 'Today', one of the poems from the collection.

Some links!

All retailers:

Amazon:

Poetry on Instagram:

Author website:

[starstuff]

finally someone still talking about long covid. I've been into it for 20 months, my husband has recently passed and I'm trying to deal with grief, covid pain and covid brain and then others wonder "whats wrong with her" Thank you for this. There needs to be an online long covid support group. If anyone knows of this, please make a comment. Thanks

[paranoid]

I've been dealing with this since Jan-2021. I still jabe rapid HR. I'm stuck with POTS now. It affects my life, my relationships. No one understands what im dealing with or where I'm coming from. I feel guilty in certain aspects of life. I even quit my job because i can't think coherently. I still have brain fog. I was an IT professional 😞 Women in my age group sre able to cycle and compete. I cant even ride uphill without dying. My HR easily reaches 200 bpm. Its so discouraging. Thank you for your work. I don't feel like im alone anymore. I feel selfish about that.

[SigridGjessingLind]

Thank you so much, Gez. I really appreciate your videos.

[melbird-dwsu]

Always happy to see any of your videos, this is a real bonus piece. Moved me to tears as well! We need hope in an otherwise hopeless feeling situation and this was a feel good video. Gez, you look and sound amazing, hope that is a good sign. I am still struggling with four years of long covid now and waiting for treatment or cure. Until then it actually feels like a long slow death and can be one big surrender. Not a pity party or the like, just the same raw truth as poetry. Thanks so much, this was nice.

[carolinemiles]

What a lovely interview Gez, thank you so much for this😀

[GoforKrogh]

I write poetry often, and as I've had Long Covid since April 2022, my poems have become about that.

Here's one:
Trying desperately to find a cure,
And every suggestion is torture.
Cause every time gives you hope,
You try and try and try but nope.

[brucearntson]

Thank you, you thoughtful, beautiful, articulate people. My LC took a hit today.

[brendataylor]

Really appreciate all your input Gez. Thank-you. Looking forward to a Monday poem on instagram - thank you Anna.

[heidisaglund]

I just joined her instagram and reading bits of poetry, it struck me how it hit me so easily. Often times, poetry is full of metaphors and complicated meanings between the lines, but this poetry was beautifully worded, sweet and honest, and made a little easier to grasp for a brainfogged brain😅
Looking forward to more poems on Mondays❤

[KylieBling]

Love these vids, Gez! :-) I'm definitely gonna share this one with some of my more receptive friends and family!

[SigridGjessingLind]

I would love a video on how to efficiently explain long covid more easily and quickly to people. I find that people are curious and want to know, but I often end up spending much of my precious energy in explaining, or trying to explain the disease.

[marcelguldemond]

Really lovely video, thanks so much.
I’m most interested in learning about the research about finding biomarkers for LC, and especially the autoimmune response that many with LC get. Eg the recent mouse study where the transfer of blood components from LC patients to mice triggered symptoms in the mice.

[theancientsancients]

I noticed with an amino acids mix it helped my strength. I monitored my grip test and it went up by 6kg unthinkable before within a week. Doing grip test is an important marker for long covid muscle weakness. Get a dynometer which is not that expensive to monitored your strength and energy levels .

[PurposefulPorpoise]

Good to hear from u Gez, its looking more and more like viral resevior, im trying to get out and get as much sunlight and vit D as possible. Stay well!

[wendykaybroschinsky]

Lovely video Gez! I’d love to see a video regarding the rebuild of relationships in our community after you have fully recovered. I find after so long I have a hard time connecting to my community and it seems they don’t really have much to say to me. Almost like it never happened but yet I’m certainly not the person I was before September 2020. It makes me want to move far away and start over. Anyone have any thoughts?

[Prince]

the hardest thing about long covid is the symptomes, symptomes that DO effect our life. What are you saying?

[becomingapegazebracorn]

For the algorithm.

Hope you are doing well, Gez.

[Jablicek]

Hiya Gez,

4 1/2 years into this "relationship" and *now* you start reading us poetry? (is a joke)

I have a suggestion! Going back to the old days I sometimes think about you taking the DeLorean around the Nurburgring, a thing of majesty in its silliness. Have you considered leisurely taking the old thing around some road circuits within easy reach? eg? IoM, Le Mans, Monte Carlo? I'd be curious to see how you get on with the traffic in Monaco!

Take care and be well everyone, we'll get through this yet!

J.

[brendabrenner]

Im.usa + cant find the book..link ro buy