Terry Ireland Poet Rhyme

Dyspraxia

I looked it up on Google,
Read the turgid prose,
Did the questionnaire
Was very quickly diagnosed.
So many things now
Suddenly fell into place
After a lifetime's experience
Of constantly losing face.
No longer the clumsy oaf,
No longer the thickie spastic,
No longer the bumbling fool,
I'm just mildly dyspraxic.
After more than fifty  years
Since that last games day,
Always the last to be picked 
For any team I  played.

That evil Drill Pig who reduced 
Me to tears on the square
Just because I made a mess
Of the squad practicing there.
My reflexes then being 
Far far too slow:
I was still coming to a stop
As he was shouting go.
The panic on the mid shift
A huge report to type
And my teleprinter skills
Just turning out tripe.
People screaming at me
With a job to complete
And the looming deadline
I never managed to beat.

I've struggled all through life
Trouble with physical skill
Just getting through
By sheer force of will.
All these years of not
Being able to understand
That lack of coordination
Between my brain and hand.
So, I'm not just a useless bugger,
Clumsy and thick as a brick,
I've got a brain wiring problem
 I'm just a mild Dyspraxic.
It doesn't solve the problem
But at least I now know why
I tend to make a mess of
Most physical things I try.

So, if I'm walking past you
And somehow catch your feet,
Or, if I stumble and abruptly
Crash into your seat 
And grin as I apologise
Please don't think I don't care
It's just the defence I use
To cover up my despair.
There’s a strength in knowledge:
I no longer feel quite so alone,
The sting gone from most cracks 
About being accident prone.
So here I am, 
And I am me,
And just that bit of knowledge
Has finally set me free

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Speaks Volumes March 11, 2023 at 2:53 PM When you first explained this to me Terry, it was hard for me to credit, that you could transfer your amazing poetry to print. I know you have the help of your lovely wife, and the two of you perform the poetry you write, and its so hard to imagine your condition. I guess this poem has helped paint the picture. It also told of an extremely brave man who carried on regardless to produce poetry that in my opinion should have made Terry Ireland a house hold name before this. You remain the best poet on Soup to me. ( by a long way). Terry Ireland March 12, 2023 at 1:47 AM Thanks for that wonderful comment and for your continuing support, Wen. Life has always been good, but is so much better now I understand.

Ilene Bauer March 5, 2023 at 11:56 AM don't know if this is true, terry, but you've described it perfectly! a wonderful poem! Terry Ireland March 5, 2023 at 1:23 PM Thanks ilene - sadly it is true and it was such relief to find the explanation for my ineptitude. It’s just part of me now.

John Oldham March 5, 2023 at 11:55 AM Nicely written, Terry. And I just learned something new - Thank You! - John Terry Ireland March 5, 2023 at 1:24 PM Thanks John. After embarrassing years I am now at peace :-)