Darren White Poet Quatrain

Notes About The Poem

Swinging Tourette

TOURETTE


     Tic tic tic
     Twitch
     Jerk
     Lash out
     Kick out
     Click clack
     Stutter

"Those are the tools of Tourette's trade"
My psychiatrist says, and he is smiling
"That's how your body's brain is made,
Such is your brain's different wiring"

I merely assumed that stuttering
Caused extreme concentration,
Made extremities flail and fling,
Hoping for better pronunciation.

"No", he says, "but you can learn
To suppress and focus for a while.
Channel surplus energy in turn
To writing, singing, dance. So smile!"

Yes he is right, it's just a name
For what I do, it seems, a lifetime.
But deep in me I have such shame
It may be me, it's far from fine.

All the surgery the future brings
Will improve my life, I love it
But won't silence Tourette who sings
And dances as long as he deems fit.

So I will dance with him and stutter
My words on paper or from my mouth
My face will tic, my hands will flutter
With dignity, because I am proud

This here is me, I'm writing colour,
Paint images with written words
It's giving happiness, therefore
I am allowed, I may be heard.

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Paul Dandrea May 21, 2017 at 12:18 AM So some of it can be channeled and some can't like in the stanza: "So I will dance with him and stutter My words on paper or from my mouth My face will tic, my hands will flutter With dignity, because I am proud." Yes. With dignity always in spite of the body's betrayal. Very good. Darren White May 21, 2017 at 1:15 AM I am very proud. Before I ended up in a wheelchair, I was a dancer. Dancing enabled me to suppress the tics, because the 'electricity' flowed to the moves and concentration needed to dance. I have written words left, and the few friends I feel safe enough with to Skype (oh the stress :)

Elle Kilma April 30, 2017 at 3:00 PM oh forgot to give you a 1 lol jk 7 fasho

Elle Kilma April 30, 2017 at 2:59 PM Dude, you rock...the kasbah :) I love your outlook on life. Give me some of your energy :) Darren White April 30, 2017 at 3:04 PM Haha Elle, swing with me! And thanks for the 7 :)

Claudia Polydoro December 22, 2016 at 7:50 PM Tic, flutter, stutter... just be yourself... because "those who mind don't matter, and those who matter don't mind" And we don't even notice it ;) You have a beautiful voice and you express yourself beautifully in any way you choose to do it. Love you my friend <3 Claudia Polydoro December 23, 2016 at 2:50 AM Hahaha Didn't you know that I'm literally a ninja? I'll take my chances ;) Darren White December 22, 2016 at 11:46 PM Yeah, I know Claudia <3 Just don't stand too close to me, my arm might just lash out and slap you hahahaha. But thank you, sweet friend.

Chris Green December 20, 2016 at 2:50 PM And you do it so well my friend. Like Connie said below, we all have some kind of talent and your definitely is writing. Bravo my friend. Darren White December 20, 2016 at 2:52 PM Thank you Chris, that means a lot to me, coming from you :)

Connie Marcum Wong December 20, 2016 at 10:37 AM I believe that we all have some kind of talent. We just need to find it within ourselves. You have found yours. This is a wonderful inspirational poem. Your talent shines brightly in this piece Darren. Have a wonderful holiday! 7 ; ) Darren White December 20, 2016 at 12:07 PM Thank you for the 7, honored :) I found my special thing, writing, and I love it.