David Barnes

Parkinson's workshop

dedicated to: Dennis greene

fingers tremble
slowly moving through pages,
yet with certainty the pen moves through
imposed restrictions, shifting language in precision,
words come; go by the way, discarded,
painting the colours of expression.

seasons flow through him
pass, return; stimulating mind, implants;
hands retrieve the balancing case, colored pills
ingested, a semblance of respite from unwanted burdens.

i have learned much about parkinson's disease
from hesitant poetic hands.

i listen to his criticisms
as he lacerates my words, moving black pigment
on crisp white pages.

we didn't ask for this
his disease, my infirmity,
though we know the broken road, word-for-word.

and he would be first to say,

short stanzas potent in meaning
need no biography, no explanation.



copyright © revised: debarnes march 2001 -12th

send private comments to author: db@aceonline.com.au