Poems

Multiple Sclerosis is a lifetime of challenges.

It demands that no day be taken for granted,

that every accomplishment be seen as significant.

MS can change habits, rearrange priorities, demand

sacrifices.

But every day, people with MS prove they are much more

than their disease.

And that a life with MS should be, can be, indeed, is well

worth living.

~author unknown

Wanna Trade?

I don't wanna be me for a while.

I'm tired of this MonSter called Multiple Sclerosis.

I'm tired of the pain, I'm tired of the fight.

I'm tired of being tired and not sleeping.

If I could just trade with someone for a day.

I'd even trade for a few hours.

I'd like to get the weight off my back.

I'd like to get the weight off my mind.

I could easily trade with one of the many folks

That say "You're looking good!"

On a day you're not feeling good,

It really makes you feel like trading.

Or other well-meaning folks that say

"Gee, you're walking really well today!"

On a day when you're having trouble walking,

It's hard to return the smile and go on.

The casual acquaintances that know you have MS,

But don't know of the battles you've fought.

"You're doing well after all these years!"

When you've been killing dragons for eleven years.

Ah, to just trade places for a day or two, or even an hour.

Just a short rest for me, I wouldn't make them keep it.

I really don't think most folks could take it.

They'd get a rude awakening for a day or so.

And then I'd have to take it back.

But I would have had a little rest.

And I'd be better prepared when MS returned.

It wouldn't just sneak up on me.

~David E. Butschy~

December 28, 2001

I'LL TRADE FOR A WHILE

just to give you some rest.

It's not that I care for pain, but you've had your share.

I just went through a painful period myself,

but feel so much better now, that I'd share

some of this pain-free time.

~T.J. DANIELS~

January 23, 2002

FADING FAST

"Hold onto your memories" that's what they say

Well, what do you do when they're all fading away

"Memories last forever" isn't that how it's put

Only problem is, my memory is going ka-put

People say, "At least you have your memories"

I say, "No, cuz I think I forgot where I put the key"

Don't take me wrong, I'm not feeling sorry for myself

It's just that I think I put my memories too high on the shelf

The shelf in this case, is an incurable disease

One that strikes whomever it may please

It doesn't care your religion or the color of your skin

Doesn't even care the financial shape you're in

It doesn't mind if you're rich or poor, it strikes without

prejudice

Seems to like Iowa, Nebraska or any of the Midwest

It does prefer people between the ages of twenty and forty

Just when life is supposed to be beginning - oh lordy lordy

It strikes at different parts of your brain

No two cases are ever the same

Sometimes I can walk, sometimes I can see

But I want to do both whenever I please

Now, for some reason, it decided to take away

My memories from both my past and recent days

Struggling to think of things I know I have learned

Instead all I get is a blank at each turn

Makes me mad at myself, disgusted it's true

Remembering memories - such a simple thing to do

I don't want pity, just want you to understand

Why sometimes words don't come out just as I had planned

Multiple Sclerosis, MS, this stupid disease

Thinking it can do just as it may please

But my will power is strong - just wait and see

I have MS - It does NOT have me!

an original writing by:

Joanie E. (formerly Jackson) copyrighted 6-27-97

IF YOU WISH TO USE JOANIE'S POEM, YOU MUST GET WRITTEN PERMISSION, YOU MAY CONTACT HER AT:

Yokiegirl@aol.com

Don't Quit

When things go wrong, as they sometimes will,

when the road your trudging seems all uphill,

when the funds are low and the debts are high,

and you want to smile, but you have to sigh,

when care is pressing you down a bit -

rest if you must, but don't quit.

Life is queer with its twists and its turns,

as everyone of us sometimes learns,

and many a failure turns about, when

they might have won, had they stuck it out.

Don't give up though the pace seems slow,

You may succeed with another blow.

Often the struggler has given up,

when he might have captured the victors cup;

and he learned too late when the night came down,

how close he was to the golden crown.

Success is failure turned inside out -

The silver tint of the clouds of doubt -

And you never can tell how close you are,

It may be near when it seems so far;

So stick to the fight when your hardest hit,

It's when things seem worst that you mustn't quit!

~author unknown

Music is Aerosmith's, "Sweet Emotion"

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