I dropped the car’s roof
with a pull on the switch

to make a high space
for the felled decoration

and drove over six miles

to home with the tree

there propped in your space

and at sixty miles an hour
the top of that cut tree
sung every forest song
that she could recall
before her Xmas demise

It will be another end
to another slowing year –
my tightening body
under pain’s besmear

A letterbox drop –
cards on my hall floor –
there to remain
as I can’t bend any more

Christmas on pause –
slight hints of freeze
until the carer’s arrival
to attend to me –

if she turns up –
if she’s the same one –
my hour will lighten
and a bath will be run

A text from my child –
now a mum on her own –
they’ll be here by three
We are never alone

One lesson I’ve learnt
under disease’s deep rub
is that life is still wonderful
when treated with love

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Better Lives. Together.
November is National Family Caregivers Month. The Parkinson’s Foundation is here for care partners and family members with support and guidance to help you build a better life with Parkinson’s.

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Today I met Santa Claus,
queued up for the 29,
off to Tunbridge Wells,
he was stood quietly in line.
I just had to stop and ask
how work is for him now,
he replied quite sternly:
They’ve removed the sense of wow..
..it’s a mad, mad world we live in,
child abuse… kids left to die:
I’ve stopped all home deliveries, 
in case I’m banged-up Christmas night.
I’ve now outsourced to Hermes, 
it’s as efficient as the sleigh:
And what’s it bloomin’ all about? 
More credit cards to repay!
I left him, stood there fuming,
grumbling, quite profane,
I’m glad I didn’t ask him
if I’d be getting socks again.

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