A poem, The lamp light beckons.

Hi Ruby. Oh, this is very sad. Being a prisoner inside one's own body...the hurtful and cruel things people say; like "piling on" when someone is down; kicking someone when they are down. We can be a cruel kind; particularly against our own. Why? I have no idea. I have always cheered for the under dog; for the one others laughed at and lorded over. To be otherwise is something I don't understand. the hurt inflicted on another' particularly when they are weakened, is tragic. You've described the thoughts of one in this position; I hope others will read and learn. Up Useful Awesome, Beautiful - because you've empathized w/the "victim," and loyal; because I think you are probably a loyal friend to the one about whom you've written. I really respect you for this.

Such a sweet poem for someone who suffers with the shame of obesity. I understand how she must feel, afraid of the stares and jeers. You such a sweet person to think of her and write this. Loved it.

Hi Ruby. This is a lovely poem. Thought up by you and you alone. Your friend has a friend in you. I hope at sometime you are able to help her overcome this unfortunate condition.

Graham.

Ruby, this is such a tough stuff. Great compassionate poetry! Heartbreaking story, heartfelt poem, it is so sad how mean people can be cruel and suffocate another human being. It's a long process of healing, I hope your friend will get better some day and enjoy life like she should be doing it instead of being a prisoner in her own home!

Awesome poem, get through with the obstacles and do it today, tomorrow never comes,

God bless

Great job Ruby and wonderful choice of music. What a terrible disease that would be, to not be able to go outside and enjoy life. You have done well with this!

Ruby - Great job with this sensative and sad story. I have great sympathy for your friend yet how fortunate she is for having you in her life.

I feel her pain. ASlthough mine was brought on by too many difficulties much too close together, I, for some time experienced what this felt like.

I send my deepest of wishes that she finds the strength to break this. I despise cruel and heartless people who inflict such damage on others. Karma is a bitch.

Great write my friend.

Oh Ruby.. this one tugs at my heart strings.. it is indeed sad to be unable to cross your own prison doors. ... mental prisons are far worse than physical ones... hope your friend is able to break free and fly like a bird to find those things she has missed all her life.

So sad, I hope you can encourage her to go for a walk where it's quite maybe a wooded if you have that by you.

Voted up, awesome and interesting, Joyce.

Oh Ruby this is very sad....

People can be cruel - she must be so grateful for your friendship, I hope she finds the strength and courage to overcome this.

Voted up.

Aww, what a good friend you are to understand always. Nicely done, I wish this wasn't so. Voted up and awesome. Regards, snakeslane

Completely sad, yet a wonderful poem.

This a beautiful heartfelt poem. The situation is so very sad. Your choice of songs fits so well. Thanks Always.

Dear Ruby, I understand how someone can get to this point. The picture you included of the face behind bars is hauntingly sad. I wonder if those that inflict cruelty that results in another shutting themselves away knew the devastating impact, would they continue? I believe some would feel responsibility and guilt, but I think some would feel powerful and some would deny accountability. Human beings can be very inhumane. It's why I preferred spending my time with my dog, who was pure and free of malice.

Beautifully written, Ruby, as I felt the loneliness, sadness and anguish of the victim. Your understanding, compassionate heart shines.

Mmmh... very touching. Society hasn't helped either as they judge people by weight. I hope you continue to keep in touch with her and one day she finds the inner strength to go out. If lots of people show her love, she will find the courage.

Hugs to her.

Oh My.. I am crying for this friend of yours.. God Bless her.. I pray she will find love and acceptance and be able to over come her Phobia ... and God Bless you for writing this

Debbie

This is a haunting song. I sense it contains an answer which alludes us.

Your ability to decipher the psyche of your friend amazes me. I feel for her. Hope she finds her way across the highway soon.

I hope also that help is not far away as this must just be an awful way to live each day. The great outdoors and sunshine that we take for granted is denied to your friend and that is too cruel. Your poem paints such a sad picture of this real situation. My wish is for your friend to confidently open the door and step into the sunshine very soon. Thank you for raising awareness of this condition. My votes and best wishes to you Ruby, from Annie.

The internet must be a godsend for people like your poem describes. But nothing replaces the physical presence of others who love and accept who we are. You are a great and lovely friend Ruby.

I did not know about Agorophobia. Your poem nicely describes the fear of leaving home.

Hello Verlie, I wish it were not true too, but it is what it is. Only time will tell. Thank you Dear friend. I appreciate your emails. Cheers..

Hi Ruby,,this is very sad...i dont know anyone who's suffering from agoraphobia but it must be really dreadful.. i hope your friend is ok. God bless

I close to home... a family member wouldn't go to work due to fear and all kind of internal issues. Is sad how the mind can make us prisioners of our own life. Powerful and engrossing!

sorry to hear about your friend, Ruby. I pray that she finds solace in this struggle.

Wow Ruby. I never knew such a thing. I love your heart though:) You have a beautiful soul AE. This is very nice and thoughtful of you, so I commend you of that first. Great job on the poem! Such emotion in every word, every line. When you put yourself in those shoes, you can feel the pain. It is sad. Just knowing that they can't leave the home, such a hard life to live. I hope, truly hope that one day she will overcome it and enjoy the world outside.

Never knew about that kind of phobia. That must be so hard. This is a very heartfelt tribute. I hope your friend read this and realize bright stuff in her life

This poem was beautiful and deeply meaningful, Always. It reminds me of my husband's sister, whose name was Ruby. (!) She was a beautiful girl who let emotional issues pull her into the abyss of compulsive eating. She got to the point where she stopped working outside of the home (the comments from coworkers and people who saw her) she could longer drive and barely walk down the hall without getting out of breath. She hardly ever left the house despite having two teenage girls with all their activities. She passed away at the young age of 40 from a heart attack. She was the glue that held my husband's family together; the one to initiate holiday phone calls and remembered to call on everyone's birthday. It was a heartbreak to lose her.

Wonderful Poem on a subject that needs to be discussed more. You did an Excellent service bring it to light... It Robs that person of so much. Very Poignant and so Heartfelt. Thanks for Sharing Ruby.

Dear friend, Ruby. This is very sad. But I hope she'll find the best and my pray for her. Thank you very much.

Love and peace, prasetio

Still seeing "unjustable" and "Let it all hang lose..." (both easily edited.)

Fine description of your friend's feelings and it could easily be added by a publisher to a text or two on the disorder. What is the normal therapy, and can a friend help with that, or does it hinge on professional counseling?

Ruby you did a great job here. These issues affect so many. Your friend is so lucky to have someone like you in her life. I hope she does find the strength and courage to move forward and begin to heal.

That poem is extremely emotional.

Great poem and this affliction must be so hard to deal with. Thanks for bringing this real problem to light for us to understand better. Bless you. *hugs*

...my dear Ruby I am sure that George Jones could sing a sad song about your poetic story - and that is the thing I love about you and your writing the most - your ability to swing (like the epi-man) between sad stories and happy stories, deep stories and silly stories - it takes a very special and talented writer to pull it off - and that writer is you. You are a true force and I love you for it - there is no one like you and I am glad that we met - and everytime I leave here I go back home and put on some George Jones in your esteemed honor - lake erie time 10:43pm canada and sending you my good thoughts and good energy

I hope that your friend gets out there and sees what the world has to offer. It is a shame to let the reactions of strangers rob an individual of so many experiences.

This is a great hub, Ruby. The condition it helps to highlight is so real and actual. And it is so easy for a sceptical society to ridicule those who suffer from it. Well done for drawing attention to this and for adding your own spin to it also.

Sigmund Freud and Woody Allen suffered from Agorophobia, this information is new for me.

Ruby-I think it's so wonderful that your educating people on this painful phobia. Being agoraphobic is hard enough but I'm sure the obesity heightens her anxiety. We have something we struggle with and it's always good to remember that we are blessed and someone out there has it much worse. Beautifully written article my dear friend. My heart goes out to your friend.

Ruby-You probably remember that I recently flew to New York because I won a trip to see John Mayer. Sis and I struggle with claustrophobia too and flying is very difficult for us. We were so excited about the trip that we forced ourselves to work through the fear. Perhaps there will be a day that your friend can take the first step. I can relate to her agoraphobia as this is part of claustrophobia. There was a time I was getting eeked out leaving the house but I eventually worked through it. There is Always hope and I will keep her in my thoughts.

Ruby you touch our hearts with this heartfelt tribute that so well explores the feelings and emotions of the one trapped in such a plight. Your words and imagery are stunning- the lamplight beckons is a haunting yet terrifyingly true image for many who are trapped in these medical conditions... your words are an anthem to them and for those trying to understand them. Bravo!

Ruby-I also panic getting stuck in traffic. There was one day that rush hour was terrible because of a snow storm. When I looked down the highway ahead of me, it was hundreds of cars in front of me. I started having a panic attack and was ready to call 911 in my hysterical state. Of course, If I was stuck in traffic, calling 911 to come get me wouldn't have worked but that's a phobia for you. I think it's great we can all talk about our fears and phobia's here. What a great family we are at Hubpages.

oh, that's so sad...what a grim way to spend the days...yet this poem is awesome...the light unto my path...

Your welcome Ruby. I sure hope she is able to overcome this. I couldn't imagine having to go through something like this. Your beautiful soul beckons with this poem AE. This was very thoughtful:) Best regards.