Deterioration by auntietk
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No AI - This artwork was created entirely by hand or with traditional digital tools.
Description
DETERIORATION
Your kids called me today.
They're spending the day with you
While your partner is out
And they're trying to keep you happy.
There's a problem.
You're not happy.
You have Parkinson's,
And you're not the person you used to be,
Can't do the things you used to do.
Can't make dinner for your kids
Bake them cookies
Talk to them about their problems.
Now you're the one who needs help
Someone to cook for you
Bake you cookies
Listen to your problems.
It's a different world.
A different life
Than you had ever expected.
The golden years of retirement
You thought you would have,
Just the two of you
Walking the beach in the sunset ---
It's not going to happen.
You can't walk across the living room floor,
Let alone negotiate a sandy beach.
Your electric wheelchair
Can't take you where you really want to go.
The medication keeps you moving
But it fries your brain,
And the trick is to find balance
Between mobility and sanity.
The doctors are doing their best
But there's no perfect answer.
Your kids wanted me to tell them
How to make you happy again.
They called to ask me
If there was a pill they could give you
To make you feel better
(To make THEM feel better)
Because it's hard to cope.
They can handle your lack of mobility,
But not your grief.
Parkinson's is an adjustment
For everyone involved.
"Degenerative disorder"
Does not mean things are looking up.
..........
Title page done in ArtRage and CS3.
Comments (26)
These poems just rock me to my very soul; knowing your friend thru you and hearing of what this does to her breaks my heart. Knowing someone who has Parkinson's makes it all the more real; you don't sugar coat what it's all about.
That's a very heartfelt description of a disease that strips people of their lives. Your brief verse really tells us not only its effects on the one afflicted, but of their loved ones, as well. Very touching words.
Solemn but sweet to the ear. Your illustration has a sense of blankness that seems to add a visual dimension to the heart ache the writer is feeling. And the words capture the life-learning experience of the younger generation. Well done. We've had a shared experience here...not from Parkinson's but from extreme old age and dimensia. Not fun, but part of life to be dealt with in those we love. Bill
This poem nearly made me cry... my Nan's best friend had parkinson's, she was one of the loveliest people I knew.. The pic seems to reflect the words if that makes any sense..
If it's ok with you I am going to share this, and your previous poem on this subject, with the wife of one of the people we visit in the nursing home. She will appreciate them so much.
text is good.. perhaps another image next to it to add more strength to it all esp. for those for whom English is not the major language and who have a hard time understanding it all. it is always sad that people put much energy in words, that can not be read by all.. for them.. (and me .. grin) one image can say more than 500 words since how powerful are words that not everybody can read ? so.. now i put the dictionary away and give you still 5 stars as if i have been reading what i think i have been reading and the words mean what i think they mean i wish you strength and power with this horrorible dissease
All I can say is this is very heartfelt... great work on this, Tara.
What a beautiful way to outline this terrable thing.
!!!!!!!!
You brought tears to my eyes once again. My cousin with Parkinson's has just reached this point and now has to have help come to her home and we are all saddened by the deterioration. This comes from deep within your heart and expresses what many of us feel. Thank you for sharing with us.
poetry is very touching!
Outstanding address of a very real situation that many of us have had contact with...thank you!!!
Tara, these words touched me! Bless you!
Very touching words Tara, I'm sure anybody would find comfort in them, anybody that is who has or knows somebody that has Parkinsons. A very dibilitating desease in its latter stages, something that not only the sufferer finds hard to come to terms with but also that persons family and close friends. Some never can come to terms with it which is hardly suprising really. I have known somebody a long time ago, so I can relate to these wonderful words. I only wish my friend was still around to read them. Excellent prose, very moving, thanks for sharing them.
What is so incredibly touching is the honesty here...you've captured the relentless and heartless nature of Parkinsons, but the poem you've crafted and the emotions you evoke are so utterly a part of the whole issue surrounding any catastrophic disorder, degenerative or otherwise. In short, this whole thing is moving, and the art that accompanies it is fitting in its unassuming, though elegant simplicity.
very thoughtful and heartfelt wonderful work, Tara May warm hug and love, Linda Kaye
Very powerful stuff, Tara, and such an interesting perspective! A fascinating glimpse into an insoluble problem from this stance. Thank you. This reminds me of how very lucky I am.
Wow, excellent work!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
wonderful !
Very touching words Tara ...........
Such a heartrending disease. Beautiful poem. Just listen to the kids, they need someone to be there for them. They know there are no answers.
She is lucky that you are there for her...others have less....
So sad and touching dear Tara....and not a damn thing we can do ....
Much too depressing to comment on.
all our stories end the same... all we can do positively is to love one another.
Very touching Tara....I agree with Tim, love one another and hugs, hugs, and more hugs.