You’ve got to Laugh!

Whoever invented buttons should be severely punished or shot.

Does anyone with Parkinson’s like buttons? I think not!

Suddenly, what was child’s play becomes impossible to do,

To dress alone, and struggle to push a button through.

And zips are not much better, for one has to grab a hold,

Of a tiny metal piece that won’t do what it’s told.

Tying laces on my shoes, frustrating beyond compare,

Thank God for slip-on sandals, Velcro, you simply tear.

Getting dressed can test one’s patience, if Parkinson’s you’ve got,

Whoever invented buttons should be severely punished or shot!

My mind begins to wander, for concentration’s hard to keep,

I write everything in my diary, and constantly take a peep.

To make sure I’ve not forgotten something I had to do.

Was there somewhere I should have been? I wish I had a clue.

Whilst in conversation I digress, quite lost I get,

No longer sure what I wanted to say, seem to forget.

I can no longer read a novel; I quickly lose the plot,

My memory like a sieve, grey matter seems shot.

I clamber into bed at night, I start counting sheep,

My mind begins to wander, for concentration’s hard to keep.

Never eat peas or couscous; they’ll fall swiftly to the floor,

I quickly learnt, these rebellious foods, eating them no more.

Going to a restaurant I order a large juicy steak,

Tasty but difficult to cut, I’d made a big mistake.

Handling of cutlery isn’t what it used to be,

And like a child, someone cuts my food for me.

Feeling kind of foolish I then add insult to injury,

As morsels of food miss my mouth, land upon my knee.

Experience comes with time; I’m wiser than before,

Never eat peas or couscous; they’ll fall swiftly to the floor!

Reproduced from Elaine Benton's book of poems, "Parkinson's, shaken, not stirred" with author's permission © 2011. www.elainebenton.net

Read Elaine's article in the Huffington Press/TEDWeekends at this link http://www.huffingtonpost.com/elaine-benton/ive-a-list-but-no-bucket_b_3474690.html