Limericks are usually funny
Parkinson's, my efforts distained
Yet, it won't silence my laughter
My attitude matters
I will, my sense of humor - retain.
Parkinson's breaks the flow of the data
That tells muscles how to react
Varying symptoms, I rue
I can list but a few.
Dopamine is the substance I lack.
So I shake when I the most don't want to
I shake causing people to stare
When I try to be cool
I shake like a fool
I shake even when no one is there.
I stumble when I would show power
I fall, sometimes can't walk at all
My legs hesitate
Hunched, shuffling or lame
Makes me want to go pound on a wall.
I don't always show what I feel
You may wonder or misunderstand
My face may look bland
When inside I feel grand
My muscles just had other plans.
My medicine's a "hide behind" screen
Seemingly a dichotomy
Symptom magnitude screened
"On or off" - wait and see
I have less and less time in between.
I can’t seem to sleep much at night
I'm drowsy some parts of the day
Balancing my needs
And medication for PD
Are choices research helps Doctors make
What I would retain, I forgot
What I would forget, I can not
My bladder dictates
How often I wake
Leg cramps & nightmares wait for naught
I need to remain independent
Sorting out what I do for myself.
If I can't do a task
Just wait for me to ask
Dignity and respect are what help
Parkinson's disease doesn't discriminate
Still young, I was, when it found me
Sentenced without appeal
To it, I'll never yield
Choosing each day, a good life to make.
Author notes
I attempted humor in this poem, as it is foundational in helping me cope with the Parkinson's disease monster. Unfortunately, the subject makes that difficult. I don't always succeed in being brave, up-beat, positive, or follow all the good advice I give, (such as promoting 55 ways of fighting inertia, exercising regularily to the best of one's ability, etc.)
I have down days. But I have good friends, firm faith, and the alternative, well, for me, is simply unacceptable.
A contest entry
- A LIFE INTERRUPTED...HAS YOURS BEEN? TELL ME ABOUT IT... by sassylilpoet.
1500 points, ended August 3, 8 entries
Gold trophy winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Please tell me what you think
Comments
1 - 5 of 5
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wow
you showed here just how strong you really are. It's really difficult to be humorous about something that made you suffer and that is painful. I should know...for I do the same thing with MY disease (lymphedema) I too am stuck with it.
congrats on the win! you well deserved it. it was a great write!!
::LB::
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Bravo! for the bravery that it took to write this with an opptomistic outlook and a subtle hint of humor to boot
Your down days that you speak of only means that you are human, and as long as the up days outweigh the down...it means that you are a stronger person than the majority of the world that live miserably each day, even though they may have perfect health and have no idea what it would be like to live with a disease such as yours. We can always look around and see someone with more problems and worse off than we are, if only we could take our blinders off I thank you for sharing this uplifting write in my contest, and personally I say..."You are blessed", for through the challenges and adversaries that you've had to face in life, you've learned how to truly appreciate.
Blessings,
and Good Luck!
Sassy
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awesome
Thank you so much for the gold and the wonderful words of support and caring. I struggle daily, make the decision hourly, sometimes minute to minute to be positve, constructive, to listen and appreciate. When my body won't do what I ask of it and my inclination is to cringe and hide, and snap at people and swear in frustration when I can't do what I used to do. Then I meet or talk with someone else who makes my problems seem like a cake walk.
If this poem educates or inspires or even makes someone smile then it has been what I wanted it to be.
jingle
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i clicked "random" several times until i got to this piece.
i was reading a lot of sad love poems like
"love is my canary i shoot it with my gauge rifle"
then i come up on "parkinsons blues."
honestly, this piece kicks ass. -
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wow, thanks
I really appreciate your comment!. This poem reveals a lot of stuff I would rather people not know about me - so my vulnerability rating is high making your comment even more valuable to me.
thanks
jingle
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