There is something linked
Not just to flesh and blood,
Though that now is so,
But connected also somehow
To eternity.
Something that will not always need
Oxygen or light,
Water or food.
Every time another part of me
Is removed or invaded,
This eternity-linked part
Shows itself to me
A little more surely,
A little more clearly.

It is all part of
The sacred process
Of my life.
All is well
Peace
All is well.

Karen Koenig is an artist and poet who has VHL. Dr. Morton F. Goldberg of the Wilmer Ophthalmological Institute and Johns Hopkins University writes, "When VHL rendered her incapable of painting her beautiful portraits, Karen Koenig had recurrent opportunities to fall into the well-known emotional patterns of denial, recrimination, grief, and despair. Instead, she chose love of life, love of God, and love of family; and created word paintings demonstrating her resilience, perseverance, and above all, her splendid optimism.

"Inherent in her poems is a joyful, natural, and unencumbered spirituality that is universal in its applicability. Despite her impaired vision, she has the capacity to see and perceive, as well as the will to enjoy.

"And with these buoyant and beautiful poems, succeed she did."

This selection is from her new book of poetry, Sacred Process, available from VHL Family Alliance. Karen's book will be for sale at a special conference price in Kansas City.

See also another article of Karen's poetry.

As published in the VHL Family Forum 2:1, March 1994. For permission to reprint, please contact the VHL Family Alliance at editor@vhl.org. Further information is available from the VHL Family Alliance, info@vhl.org.

mystory