First Book to Combine Poetry with Chronic Illness

On the Island of My Bed brings together the two apparently dissimilar themes of poetry and Lyme Disease

[ClickPress, Thu Sep 14 2006] On the Island of my Bed is the first book of its kind published in the UK. Bringing together two apparently dissimilar threads that actually have much in common, we journey with the author into the shadow of the woods on a beautiful summer’s day, and emerge in the land of the ill: a profoundly altered landscape where the experience of having chronic Lyme Disease is re-counted through the looking glass of poetry.

Through poems and short fragments of prose, the author brings to life her experience of having a chronic illness, exploring the many feelings and events that she has lived through since she contracted the illness ten years ago. The book reveals the life changing impact of this potentially disabling disease on close relationships, the limitations and possibilities of medical science and the advent of hope.

The reader, in turn, is invited to tease out, piece together, read between the lines and imagine living with an illness that remains largely unknown and widely misunderstood by many health-care professionals and the general public. The author also provides the reader with a short narrative about how, when and where she contracted the illness, and offers information about the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of Lyme Disease.

About the Author: Carmen Alfonso is a part time Spanish language teacher and student counsellor at the University of Bristol. She also works as a volunteer counsellor for a local charity supporting people suffering from life threatening illness. She completed a BA (Hons) in Media Studies and an MA in Hispanic Studies before training as a counsellor. As well as writing poetry she has participated in several group exhibitions of her paintings in Bristol.

PUBLICATION DATE 1 November 2006

ISBN: 1-905886-06-3 / 978-1-905886-06-7 Price: £6.99
The author is available for interview. A review copy or competition copies of the book can be sent on request.