The Man Behind the Mask
How are you today ? People often ask
If they could only truly see behind this frozen mask
Where do I begin to tell you how I really feel
Is it all inside my head or is it really real
How could you understand, how do I explain
My weary bones, my aches, my pain
How long do you have and will you really hear
Will my words cause discomfort or even a little fear
Will you really listen to all my moans and groans
In a voice that whispers in flat monotones
A frozen face hides a turmoil of emotions
As many and varied as the deepest oceans
From high to low and every extreme
And every thought and emotion in between
Like an old man at the end of the day
I shuffle and shake as I make my way
As I struggle to do the simplest thing
To tell a story or a song to sing
Our health and strength we do not appreciate
Until stolen from us, it is too late.
What painful aches and worries we carry
But enough self pity and thoughts of me
Tell me how you really feel.
Take off your mask and to me reveal
With me you do not have to pretend
How are you today my friend ?
c/ Denis Murphy 13 Dec 2016
Parkinson's Disease and Self-Expression 
Hi Denis just been reading some of your poems…just fantastic well done. Will show to Dermot in due course in a bad place at the moment as it all happened so suddenly. However friends at club very supportive and with right medication hopefully I sure he will be more positive and thanks so much for your concern. Will keep in touch..take care keep writing Dee
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gave my details
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Many Thanks – yes when he is ready. He has to go through a period of mixed emotions like shock,sadness.despair,anger and grief first before he accepts the reality of his situation. It took me about 18 months before I started to accept and to tell people.
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