By Jonathan Lesko
Awesome Alert
“My husband, spouse of (me) a narcoleptic, is wicked smart and loves to write. I mean- ANY type of creative writing is his JAM.
He’s going through a “limerick phase”, and wrote this just now”:
‘To all of my “others” out there,
I’m gonna lay it all bare.
I’ll speak at some notions,
And sway yer emotions.
It’s a disease-it’s time to be fair.
Lemme tell how narcolepsy works,
Explain the frustration and irks.
It leaves ’em exhausted;
Energy’s quite accosted.
It’s not just one of their quirks.
We’re dealin’ with a real disease.
By exhaustion they’re set to their knees.
So be a good other,
Support but don’t smother.
Believe me, they do want to please.
Hypnagogic hallucinations are hell,
And cataplexy, that odd startled spell.
To others it’s funny,
Not when it’s your hunny.
The effects are really quite fell.
Sometimes they can’t face the day,
Whether it’s working, chores, or some play.
Then they want us to git,
Because of this shit,
Not lazy, but sleep can’t delay.
It took me some time to learn,
When her energy takes a bad turn.
She’s not aloof or unloving,
Just only succumbing,
To illness, for an escape she does yearn.
Now narcolepsy binds with tight tether,
To depression, they oft go together.
They feel so sad,
So don’t get too mad.
They’re stressed they don’t meet the measure.
They struggle against their own mind,
To get to facing the grind.
But also their bod,
Feels so flawed.
They’re fighting, but to it resigned.
Now perhaps you’ve noticed their smarts,
Have shifted some from y’all’s starts.
Your fears I’ll belay,
It changes each day.
They know it and this really smarts.
So about it, what can we do?
Be loving, patient and true.
We get what we give,
And ask they forgive,
All your mistakes from before you knew.
They truly do dig understanding,
That they’re vim we can’t be demanding.
And that often some rest,
Will rekindle their zest.
Their struggle is really long-standing.
But there’s times when rest can’t achieve-
Rejuvenation, and I will not deceive.
Although it is tough,
Snide comments you stuff.
It’s best if you just silently grieve.
I said grieve, yeah that is ok.
If we’re with them for it each day.
It’s ok to mourn,
Like your heart’s been torn.
Let ’em know that no matter, you’ll stay.
Now on to a theme quite adult.
When their body you’d like to exult.
Ya know, they lust too,
And it’s likely for you.
But narcolepsy can mar the result.
I know the frequency’s changed.
But don’t feel y’all are estranged.
Let ’em get rest,
And don’t be a pest.
They’ll recognize by gettin’ deranged.
Changed attitudes can give ’em a break.
And my advise I don’t always take.
But patience, support;
Will rebuild rapport.
Just enjoy when they’re feeling awake.
Rhyming at the narc is quite ectopic .
Take what suits from this pseudo-biopic.
You want me to speak,
‘Cause this prose it did pique,
Your interest- name the next topic.’
