He Used To Be

He used to hunt and fish
Shoot the bull with ease
But now he has Huntington's Disease

He could cut a right of way
For the Rural Electric Company
With chain saw and saw blade
Now he can't even feed himself
For he has Huntington's Disease

He advanced up to line-man
Learning all about electric power
Going to work handling high voltage by the hour
Now he can hardly walk down the street
For he has Huntington's Chorea

He is at times a danger to himself
At times to people he meets
But is not right for he has H.D.

Sad but true it is inherited
If one has too many CAG's repeats
On their DNA they will come down with H.D.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2010

Poem

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Telling Avatar
December 8, 2010 at 3:51 AM
Sara, this poem put tears in my eyes. I'm so sorry. But this is beautifully written, don't ever stop writing :)
Culverhouse Avatar
November 23, 2010 at 6:24 AM
sad thoughts....Poor Gary...
Sweetheart Avatar
November 21, 2010 at 11:47 AM
SOUP MAIL..new luv..
Neels Avatar
November 21, 2010 at 4:47 AM
Sara, a sad write but you are also educating us who knew little about the disease.. Thanks for sharing and blessings to you ;) Wilma
Hensley Avatar
November 20, 2010 at 9:40 PM
Dear Sara, It is true said to read what you wrote, at times the only thing we can do is turn it over to God and just pray. Remember though he once said we will be tempted and pressed but he will never give us more than we can handle. all things are possible with God!!
Semeniuk Avatar
November 20, 2010 at 3:33 PM
a very sad but beautiful poem!
Hensley Avatar
November 20, 2010 at 3:23 PM
Very sad indeed, am sorry for the trouble you are enduring to help a love one and cant do much but sit and watch. I had a professor taht had H.D he was in teh early stages of it but seeing a man just literaly detereate is very sad to see. my prays are with you.
Babcock Avatar
November 20, 2010 at 9:16 AM
This is so sad Sara. If it is genetic that is also hard if they ever want to have children. Not a nice disease. I agree with Linda this is a great outlet for us to release our anxieties and it becomes therapeutic for us. Thank you for sharing this poem with us. God Bless Phyl
Austin Avatar
November 20, 2010 at 6:35 AM
Yes, this is sad - sad for everyone involved. Love, Dave
Devonshire Avatar
November 20, 2010 at 6:29 AM
I really didn't know much about this disease, especially that it's inherited. In cases like this we can only pray that children do not develop the symptoms. Bless you for sharing this genuinely moving poem. Love, Carolyn
Newman Avatar
November 19, 2010 at 11:46 PM
Linda says Writing poetry is therapeutic You must be the most mentally healthy one here I looked over many of your pages and pages of fine work and I can only say well done And thank you for reviewing my little works
Mehta Avatar
November 19, 2010 at 10:09 PM
Thnx Sara for wishing luck and appreciating my creation "Worst breakfast ever"... Luv/best wishes.......Hitendra Mehta
Witt-King Avatar
November 19, 2010 at 9:42 PM
Sara, I disagree with John, with all respect to him. Writing poetry is therapeutic, engages a different part of the brain mind, helps us process & put to order the unfathomable. Just as in life, it isn't always pretty or neat or conforming strictly to meter or rhyme. But it does give us a way to deal with the human condition. This community gives us a safe place to work through it all with a compassionate audience to support us. You've put words to an unimaginable horror & I honor you for that.
Loving Iii Avatar
November 19, 2010 at 5:53 PM
do you want the truth? if not then don't read any further than this. i have never been disapointed by you in poetry up until now. this is a private issue that should remain so no mattter who the subject matter is.you should have better asked for prayers or sympathy at best. jhl
Sweetheart Avatar
November 19, 2010 at 5:00 PM
Really intense on sensitive subject of this disease Sara.. such debilitating consequences from a strapping satisfying life at one time... so sad.. sorry if this is someone special u are close to dealing with this my friend... prayers coming your way .. happy weekend ..luv..
A   Avatar
November 19, 2010 at 3:25 PM
never heard of "Huntington's Disease" does sound sad by the way,, enjoyed your poem,..p.d.
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