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

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

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

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

Michigan United States of America

7 Responses to “A.S. Face 0397: Al Shuryan”

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.

Derek said this on May 3, 2012 at 1:33 am | Reply
Dea Al,
Thank you so much for being a part of my vision. I absolutely love your poerty, so beautiful.
Sincerely Cookie

Cookie Has A.S. said this on May 3, 2012 at 9:00 pm | Reply
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.

Derek said this on May 4, 2012 at 6:19 pm | Reply
- Thank You Cookie and excellent job with this site, labor of love…^5
  
  Alfred A Shuryan said this on May 5, 2012 at 2:54 pm | Reply
  - You are so welcome, it is a labor of love… perfect ! thank you
    
    Cookie Has A.S. said this on May 5, 2012 at 2:55 pm
- 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
  
  Alfred A Shuryan said this on May 5, 2012 at 2:57 pm | Reply
I have my reading cut out for me on your site Cookie…looking forward to sharing stories for verse…

Alfred A Shuryan said this on May 5, 2012 at 3:02 pm | Reply

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