Three months ago I closed my mind,
Folded it into sections,
Packed it away forever.
I had given up, called it quits,
Knowing that I could not exist
On the meager portion of life
That was parceled out to me.
Parkinson’s Disease was strangling me,
Slowly but surely.
I was not able to walk without pain.
My driver’s license was rescinded.
Friends and relatives stayed away.
My source of writing had dried up.
My muse avoided me.
I still put on a happy face
But inside I was crying.
Two months ago I was encouraged
One more time to try medications
New to me though thousands of years old.
EDB
Not something I had wanted to use
Cannabis led to harsher drugs
Took away initiative and drive,
Brought death and destruction
And was illegal.
But I was desperate to relieve pain.
Like a cautious mouse
I nibbled.
My thoughts clarified
I began to relax.
The severe muscle cramps disappeared
Walking and other exercises brought hope.
Side effects were positive.
I nibbled some more.
The sky didn’t fall, my life wasn’t over.
It was just beginning
For the second time.
4/21/2016
Dan Roberson
