Poetry in Pain: Creative Expression in the Face of Arthritis

By Victoria (Tori) Martinez

Rheumatoid arthritis has been both my burden and my muse. My journey through the pain, the ups and downs, the doctor visits, and trial and error with medications has taught me some powerful lessons. It has also inspired some powerful poetry. Since it's Arthritis Awareness Month, I thought I would share this part of my journey with you.

Living with rheumatoid arthritis (and other chronic illnesses) is kind of like having an unexpected guest that never really leaves. Some days, it’s quiet and lets me go about my business. Other days, it makes itself known with aches, stiffness, and an undeniable presence, especially in my hands.

Typing? Forget about it. But thankfully, technology has my back! Talk-to-type tools have been game-changers, letting me express myself without wrestling with my keyboard. My voice does the heavy lifting now, turning my thoughts into words with ease (and sometimes some hilarious auto-correct mishaps, if you find any in this post, please let me know). Interestingly, this practice has shaped me into a better spoken-word poet.

Speaking my thoughts aloud has sharpened my sense of rhythm, tone, and flow, making my poetry feel even more alive. I’ve become more intentional with the cadence of my words, experimenting with pauses, inflections, and emotional delivery in ways that I never did when writing by hand or typing. In a way, talk-to-text has transformed my poetry from something I merely write to something I truly perform. Each word carrying weight, each line landing with purpose. Before using this tool, I never imagined myself to be a spoken-word poet. I never thought I could have the courage to stand up in front of a crowd of people and speak my poetry. Now that is a regular occurrence for me (when my body lets me).

But beyond the physical struggles, there’s a whole emotional journey that comes with chronic illness. It’s tough, frustrating, and occasionally, downright exhausting. That’s where poetry comes in, it’s my escape, my therapy, my way of processing everything that’s too big to hold inside. There’s something powerful about pouring my emotions into a poem and shaping my experiences into something meaningful. When that poem resonates with someone else that makes it even more powerful. I had to find a way to let out the anger, sorrow, loss, confusion, and many other emotions that come up on a chronic illness journey. Poetry became one of those ways to let it out.

It’s not always easy, some days I can't get out of bed. However, life with RA has taught me to get creative, adapt, and celebrate the little wins. Whether it’s discovering new ways to stay productive, finding joy in words, or simply taking things one step at a time, I keep going. My bed is often my creative space as well. Those of us with chronic illness have to find ways to make our everyday spaces as comfortable and accessible as possible (more on this in future blogs).

When I chose rural life, it was one of the most meaningful decisions I’ve ever made. In stepping away from the noise and fast pace of the world, I’ve found the beauty of slow living in a rhythm that allows me to breathe, to truly take in life’s small moments. Out here, nature isn’t just scenery; it’s a sanctuary. When I can, I write outside, letting the wind carry ideas to me, the trees stand witness to my words. There’s something healing about the open sky, the quiet hum of the earth that grounds me, calms my mind, and renews my spirit in ways I never expected. At times the river seems to wash away my worries, at least temporarily, and any moment of peace is a welcome friend. The simplicity of this life has taught me to savor time, to listen deeply, and to find peace in presence. Stay connected with me (subscribe to my newsletter) to read more about this decision and how it has impacted my health, my perspective on life, my art, and my writing.

And hey, if rheumatoid arthritis wants to be my life-long companion, at least I get to tell the story my way. If you're interested in poetry, you can find my new poetry book here. If you found your way to this blog because you have RA (or any other chronic illness) know that you don't have to face chronic illness alone, we're in this together.

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This information shared here is based on personal experience and perspectives. It is not intended to be medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please consult A qualified health care provider for guidance tailored to your individual needs.