A.S. Face 0397: Al Shuryan
I finally decided I wanted to put myself out there, maybe to help someone else.
I’m 57 years old. Had A.S. now for 37 years.
My A.S. took 4 years to diagnose. Those 1st years were horrible with
everything disguised, hidden and unconvincing. Once found the
first medication had me crying on the floor. 1st surgery messed things up.
I can sum up my journey with this disease in 2 poems.
In the early days it was:
You Don’t Know My Pain
By
Al Shuryan
YOU DON’T KNOW MY PAIN
YOU ONLY THINK YOU DO
YOU LIVE OFF THE SADNESS
AND PLAY WITH THE MADNESS
QUESTION OUR SANITY
WHILE FEEDING YOUR VANITY
YOU DON’T KNOW MY PAIN
UNTIL IT SUITES YOU
YOU DON’T KNOW MY PAIN
YOU ONLY THINK YOU DO
CUT ME OPEN
AND PUT ON HANDS
SEW ME UP
THEN MAKE YOUR PLANS
YOU DON’T KNOW MY PAIN
YOU ONLY CLAIM YOU DO
YOU DON’T KNOW MY PAIN
YOU ONLY THINK YOU DO
PRETEND TO CARE
IT’S SO UNTRUE
THAT MASK YOU WEAR
LOOKS GOOD ON YOU
YOU DON’T KNOW MY PAIN
YOU FOOLED ME TOO
YOU DON’T KNOW MY PAIN
YOU ONLY THINK YOU DO
LIGHT ME UP
RADIATE ME
TURN ME INSIDE OUT
EMERSE ME IN A CHEMICAL GLOW
INTERRUPT SENSES FLOW
COVER IT ALL UP
DON’T LET ANY SHOW
ANOTHER SEASONS MIGRATION FLOWN
FIND ME UNDER A SHEET OF SNOW
LETTERS ON A GRANITE STONE
BOIL ME UP IN YOUR CAULDRON
WIND TO ASHES THROWN
YOU DON’T KNOW MY PAIN
I’LL ASK NO FAVORS FROM YOU
YOU’LL NEVER KNOW MY PAIN
Copyright ©2000 Alfred Shuryan
Then 25 years or so I taught myself how to calm many things and it’s more like this now;
A Tree In the Woods
By
Al Shuryan
There’s a tree in the woods where I like to go
Life is abound but shy to show
Munks scurry and play, A fox runs by
Squirrels bury treasures for another day
The crows are now atop my tree
So much noise and no sky to see
Hawks gliding currents all goes silent and disappear
Silence so peaceful so quite I feel
It calm my soul and help to heal
The peace and beauty from some great creator
This outdoor stage is my theater
My church, my sanctuary, play just for me
Visual delights, natures ecstasy
More exciting than any TV, suddenly an encore
A stomp, a huff, a very loud snore
There’s a large buck with antlers galore
My heart so loud I’m sure he can hear
The rush, the joy, a grateful tear
I come to realize it’s not his nor mine
This is OUR place in time Visit the woods and you could see
How wonderful and healing a tree can be
Copyright ©2007 Alfred Shuryan
Michigan United States of America
To cool Al. I just got back from the woods. They’ve always been my sactuary too. The forest is the visible perfection of God. The trees have never lied to me. Thee is no evil in the woods. Sunlight breaking through the clouds. Warm sun on your back. To cool.
Dea Al,
Thank you so much for being a part of my vision. I absolutely love your poerty, so beautiful.
Sincerely Cookie
Ya know Al, I was just re-reading you’re “second poem”, and I think I’m going to cut it out and tape it to my wall (along with all the other “post it’s”). Thanks. It is nice to see an “elder AS’er” (wouldn’t say that to a lady would I), who has made peace with AS. You’re an inspiration to this “slightly less elder AS’er Al. Thanks.
Thank You Cookie and excellent job with this site, labor of love…^5
You are so welcome, it is a labor of love… perfect ! thank you
Thank You Derek, means alot to me. Anytime you like to chat I’mm the same name on Face Book, I’ll be runnin my Computer Mod/Build groups almost 24/7 as I Kick AS…!,,!, rock on
I have my reading cut out for me on your site Cookie…looking forward to sharing stories for verse…