It was his handwriting went first...
like a spider crawled across the page;
and then, there was his gait.
He used to swing his arms; a jaunt –
his walk, she used to call it.
“Don’t worry,” the medics advised.
“Parkinson’s...it’s not life-shortening.”
As if that was any consolation to him.
To her, it meant the world, as she said
driving home in their car.
For a while – he dug a hole, climbed
right in; stayed there quite a time,
whilst she got by from seeing
the funny side of things. “Easy
for you,” he used to say...
And then he began to laugh too.
So what, if his hands shook? Tasks
just took a while longer, that’s all.
He even went so far as to invent
himself a catch phrase:- ‘Sorry,
but I don’t do quick!’
As a gift, she had it printed
on a T-shirt; still has it now...
ten years on. Except, his legs
don’t take him where he wants,
and the pills work less and less.
Sometimes, he gets depressed –
worries about the future, “What
the heck!” she quips. “We might
get mown down by a bus
in the high street next week.”
This morning, he stands at the top
of the stairs in just his bath-robe –
pants, vest and socks in his hands.
“Help us get dressed, love,” he calls,
frustration in his eyes.
Reassuringly, she smiles. “Clean
underclothes, eh love? You’re right,
of course. That bus could come along
anytime, even today, and I’ll be
right beside you. What do you say?"
Comments
skinner_jennifer | October 3, 2010 - 19:55
Hi Silver Spun Sand,
It's nice to see a light hearted side to that horrible
disease of Parkinson's.
Really enjoyed reading this poem. Thankyou.
Jenny.
Kahdai | October 3, 2010 - 21:00
Thanks Tina, glad you're writing about this kind of thing recently, I think you know exactly how it is! K x
Silver Spun Sand | October 3, 2010 - 21:24
How right you are, Jennifer; there is a light and a dark side to everything...Even humour, sometimes.
My thanks to you for reading and glad you enjoyed;-)
Tina
Silver Spun Sand | October 3, 2010 - 21:25
I sure you do, Kahdai. Pleased you got something from this one.
Tina x
fatboy74 | October 4, 2010 - 00:25
Really cleverly constructed and despite the subject matter - uplifting. Well done Tina. :-)
Silver Spun Sand | October 4, 2010 - 14:21
Dear to my heart, this one;-) Parkinson's gets so little publicity; people seem to think it is an 'old person's disease'. Unfortunately, it can strike at any age and is devastating. Take it from me.
My thanks to you for reading and for your empathetic comments.
Tina
Highhat | October 4, 2010 - 14:50
I like the way the couple tackle this illness. A fine approach to something serious- with humour.
well done Tina
pia;)
Silver Spun Sand | October 4, 2010 - 15:25
Thank you, pia. Much appreciated;-)
Tina
insertponceyfre... | October 4, 2010 - 19:21
what Fatboy says - I particularly like the way you end it
Silver Spun Sand | October 4, 2010 - 21:50
Thanks, insert. Pleased you liked it too;-)
Tina
MistakenMagic | October 6, 2010 - 18:39
Absolutely beautiful, Tina! There is so much warmth and affection radiating from this poem that I can't help but bask in its glow. The poem has a wonderful sentiment of never giving in and always looking on the brighter side - wonderful!
Magic xxx
Silver Spun Sand | October 6, 2010 - 18:53
Glad you got enjoyment reading this one, Magic...probably almost as much as I got from writing it.
Tina xxx
Geoffrey | October 6, 2010 - 20:35
Very emotive, but a bit too close for comfort.
Silver Spun Sand | October 6, 2010 - 21:57
Unfortunately, Geoffrey, I know exactly what you mean.
My sincere thanks to you for reading and for your thoughts.
Tina
kheldar | November 28, 2010 - 21:29
A great ending to the poem, it sums up for me how facing things with a smile is still a way of doing things (even in this whinging nation we now seem to inhabit - sorry, tripped over me soap box then!!)
Very enjoyable read.
:--) xxx
Silver Spun Sand | November 29, 2010 - 11:41
Hope you didn't hurt yourself on the soapbox, David;-)
Appreciate your reading this and your valued comments.
Tina xxx