A Poem from Paul

Walk With Us Awhile

You laugh at us and mock us,

you media and 'doctuhs'.

You tell us it's all in our head,

and we've no business staying in bed.

You call us malingerers and liars;

tho' before this illness we set the world on fire.

There was no job we couldn't do;

Our minds so quick and straight and true.

To turn back time, reset the clock,

our only dream, our only rock;

Of hope and faith of healing power

to turn us back to an earlier hour,

Of strenth of body and clearness of mind,

exhaustion no more, or pain unkind.

We search and try for any cure,

for this illness we can no longer endure.

So stop your jokes, erase your smiles;

unless you've walked with us awhile.

'Cuz it's for sure you'll start to dread,

the thought of following in our treads.

Copyright 1996 Paula Frighetti

This poem can be reprinted
provided the copyright information is included.

"PRISONERS"

We're trapped inside these bodies,
alone, frightened, pained.
No escape, no release,
everyday's the same.

How we long to unzip this flesh,
which traps, denies and drains,
and step into a better world,
from the one in which we came.

We look through different eyes now,
unsure of what we're seeing.
The feelings we had so long ago
are gone, forever fleeing.

Who's to take us seriously
when we try so to explain?
Who's to hear our screams at night?
Who's to feel our pain?

When will the spirit also leave?
When does the soul depart?
Is our mission now in life
hiding safely in our hearts?

Lord, give us the strength we need
to awaken each new day.
Let others find the cause, the cure,
please help them find a way.

Sandra Ponce Copyright 1997

I'm A "Unique" Person

I'm a unique person for
I have a disease that no one
can see or feel, but me.
But thats not really
true you know,
For if you look into my
eyes the stress and pain
lie there -
Everyone has that you say!
Upon my face inscribed is
the armour of fatigue I wear -
Just tired, I get that way
you say!
And as you talk to me
maybe you notice I don't
always answer you quickly -
Gathering my thoughts you say!
I might stop in the middle of
a sentence or just totally forget
what I am saying to you -
I do that or old age you say!
Maybe the blank look on my face
is because my atttention span
is left out in a field somewhere -
Just distracted you say!
And the redness on my face is
because of all the above is
happening to me, because I don't know
how to explain a disease to you
that does not have a name like
Cancer, Polio, or Diabeties
that you can relate too -
All in my head you say!
Even if I described my symptoms
and told you of my chronic pain,
depression, sleepless nights, confusion,
and how this disease affects other parts
and functions of my body, would you
believe me; or look at me and say
with disbelief - But you look so
fine and healthy!
Are you REALLY looking at me
or what you want to see?
Are you REALLY listening
or afraid to hear?
Do you understand what I
am trying to say or are
you as AFRAID as I am of
the unknown?
Thanks for listening.

Sid