I wrote this after a search on the internet, out of curiosity, to see which famous people had developed Parkinsons.

I’ve joined the famous

Who would have thought it that one day that I’d be in the hall of fame
Sharing the stage, facing crowds next to the evangelist Billy Graham
Or join Pope John Paul the second talking to millions performing mass
Two illustrious religious leaders, reaching out, that’s what I call class

President Harry Truman, Fidel Castro, even Chairman Mao Tse Tung
Who would have thought it? My self-esteem has gone up another rung
It was nice of them to join me to share my journey to fame and glory
I’d tell you all about it but not within a poem, it is a full-blown story

I am leading thespian standing in naught but grease paint and socks,
Supported by Katherine Hepburn, Terry Thomas, and Michael J Fox.
Top billing Actors, who made us laugh and cry within their profession
Life is but a play to be reviewed, it can be scary that is my confession

To ward off any bad reviewers we all need our defender and our ally
Who would better to have on your team than boxer Mohammad Ali
You are Commander in Chief, fighting you’re own demons out there
To advise you on your tactics who better than General Macarthur

We all have our champions supporting our trials and tribulations
Family and friends have become our very own ‘United Nations’
So whether your condition developed early or was it shown late on
Use the power of words retrieve ‘inner you’, read poet Irvine Layton

© Phil Golding
12/03/07

I liked this.

It was actually quite touching too.

You have somehow made something quite negative (Parkinsons) into something positive. I like the way you have done this.

Nice to see I'm rubbing shoulders with the famous.

Hi Darren

Thanks for the come back and kind comments. Parkinson's is a hard and uncomfotable topic to convey in poetry in any written form.

Its hard to come to terms with, if ever you can. I find with humour it breaks it into bite sized chunks.

regards

Phil

This is a really interesting way to look at things, turn a negative upside down using celebrity culture. You've inspired me, I might just rob this idea! I particularly liked the last line.

Hi Gemma

Thanks for your knd wordsn and if you want to use the format go for it.

I find visiting these pages and more over the open mic night a great source of inspiration.

I think that poetry is a woven picture I feel priveleged to be part of. Parkinson's can be a harsh mistress, but a twist of humour makes all the difference. Have a look at 'Air Piano' and Feel Pride (done to the rythm of Raw Hide) on my showcase.

cheers

Phil