Corkman: Poetry helped me deal with Parkinson’s diagnosis

A GOOD start in life is always a great help, and I was lucky to have been born in such a beautiful place.

Cork is a city of steps and steeples, of proud traditions and friendly people. Traditional yet progressive, Corkonians are friendly and open-minded, confident and proud, with an awareness of our own unique identity and place in the world.

Some of us would be as bold as to suggest that we are the Centre of the Universe!

But, of course, being very modest people, we tend not to be too arrogant in our views and opinions. Being generous and welcoming, we love to share our ideas and opinions with the rest of the world…

My name is Denis Murphy and I live in a little village called Riverstown in County Sligo.

I was born and reared in Cork, in the Blackrock/Beaumont area, where I grew up in the ’60s and ’70s. I also lived in Midleton for 12 years.

I was always shy and introverted by nature, preferring the world of books and my vivid imagination to the real world.

At school I loved history and geography, but also enjoyed English literature, especially short stories and prose. But poetry, for the life of me, I could not grow to either like or appreciate. My mind seemed to switch off and my imagination would wander once Shakespeare or Milton made their appearance in class.

Even today, I rarely read poetry.

All the more reason I that am astounded that it is through poetry that I have found a way to express my feelings, emotions, fears and hopes.

A major turning point in my life came in 2007 when, at the age of 48, I was diagnosed with early stages of Parkinson’s Disease.

As anyone who suffers from it, or has a family member who does, will know and understand, it brings about drastic changes, both physically and mentally.

It can be very difficult for people with Parkinson’s to express their emotions and feelings, and to cope with the loss of power and independence, not to mention the impact on your self-confidence and self-esteem.

It is also very difficult for family members, friends and those close to us. The effects can be devastating, as they struggle to understand and cope with a loved one’s illness.

I have written a collection of poems to help express my emotions and feelings and to help readers to understand the challenges one faces when living with a degenerative disease.

It is the culmination of over five years of work, composing, editing, posting submissions and searching for a publisher. I kept running into brick walls and blind alleyways, rejections and non-replies.

I was determined to get my message out there to the many ordinary people like me, who have suddenly had their worlds turned upside down by this terrible disease.

The title of the book of poems, The Frozen Mask, refers to the ‘Frozen Gait’ or the medical term Akinesia - the inability to start movement and Bradykinesia - slowness of movement - where the person with Parkinson’s literally stops on the spot and has difficulty in continuing, or getting started.

Not to mention Dyskinesia (uncontrollable swaying) and Dystonia (painful muscle cramps) which can strike at any time, any place.

The ‘Mask’ is a term used to describe the stiffness of muscles around the face. It appears that the person is frowning, feeling sad and gloomy, uninterested, bored, apathetic and not paying attention. But behind the mask lies an intensity of conflicting emotions and feelings, not being expressed.

This is where a medium such as art, music, singing, poetry, and creative writing can be so helpful.

My poems not only try to explain the negative consequences, but also the life-changing challenges that inspire hope and a better appreciation for all life.

While there is no known cure or preventative medicine, we still have to take responsibility for our own health and do the best we can at any given moment and to live in the present. Life is a series of challenges from which we must grow and learn. After all, life is a one way journey, and no one is getting out alive !

My book is available for sale on Amazon. If you’re purchasing from Ireland, I would advise buying on the German site, the cost is €8 and about €8 for postage. www.amazon.de/dp/1960038184 will bring you directly to the page.

By purchasing this book, you are helping to increase the awareness of this insidious disease and a donation will be made to the Parkinson’s Association of Ireland.

I have written over 200 poems on subjects such as nature, mythology, history, Cork, philosophy, fantasy, life and death, in fact I have a poem for every occasion!

I have had my work published in various anthologies , including the Parkinson’s Association magazine and the Holly Bough.

For more details on my poetry, please visit my website denismurphy.blog and my Facebook page. Denis Murphy’s Poetry.

I must also mention my wife and carer Emer, without whom my world would be an awful lot darker.