THE ELEPHANT

This is a poem written by a very special lady. She was diagnosed with Parkinson disease and then 2 years later diagnosed with Cancer. She wrote this after going through chemotherapy. ~ Jen

THE ELEPHANT

I happened upon an elephant in my living room.
Although he didn't speak out loud, I heard his voice of doom.
From dulcet tones through booming drones, his words filled me with fright,
"There's something wrong, you must agree - your left side is just not right!"
 
It won't be right - it is my left, came forth my smart reply.
He merely sighed with air resigned and stared me in the eye.
"What fool you are, you should be checked to see about some mending."
There's nothing wrong, I'll just stay here and carry on pretending.
 
"Your time is up," my monster said, "I'm placing you on trial
For all that you have thrown away, while you've been in denial."
Buzz off, you nosey pachyderm, you're not invited here.
You have no right to spoil my life and thus to interfere.
 
Pursued by taunts relentlessly, I nearly lost my mind;
Until one day it dawned on me that he was being kind.
What could be worse than finding out and giving him a name?
The truth was there for all to share - my life was not the same.
 
So feeling scared and filled with dread, some help I duly sought.
There was a name for my disease - what peace of mind this brought.
It's chronic and progressive, but there is lots of hope;
I know I have the courage and I'll find the strength to cope.
 
I hurried home to tell my friend his words were not in vain;
It was only fear that held me back and caused me so much pain.
I was not prepared for what I found - no elephant was there;
He had not been there all along - it was just my old armchair!
 

Valerie M. Marshall, July 2008