Poem "I am not a Diabetic"

[Jim Young]

< Audio>

I am not a diabetic.
I have diabetes - you see?
I am not obese,
I do not smoke or drink,
I am a hungry vegetarian,
and I swim in the sea each day.

Then you shouldn't have diabetes?
But unfortunately, it doesn't work that way.
My dad had diabetes and
it was his parting gift to me.
So I have made friends with my condition,
it calls me son and I call it Pop,
as I pop another pill.

I treat him with every consideration
and we do love to get it right.
My doctor treats him with reverence
and prescribes only the best wrapped gifts,
to assuage his temper, and hopefully one day
will inject some realism into my insinuation
and oft repeated question,
"Oh why dad, why? Oh why?".

Now it ought to be OK? You say.
But these bloody auto-antibodies
go hunting in a pack.
So another pill for cholesterol,
another for BP,
I know these rustling popper packs
will be the life of me.

But I am not a diabetic!
Repeat that after me,
and then maybe you will see,
that whatever my glucose status,
it is me you see - yes me.
So please don't stick a label
for now you know the truth.
You know that I suffer from diabetes,
as you might do,
one day.

http://baitthelines.blogspot.co.uk/2017/04/i-am-not-diabetic.html

 

[4ratbags]

Many people do suffer from the complications of having diabetes. Before I was diagnosed my high BS caused me a lot of suffering, headaches, stomach pains, breathing issues, no energy, being comatose for 4 hours at a time. Believe me it wasn't fun.

 

[Bluetit1802]

Maybe I am just one of the lucky ones. I had no pre-diagnosis symptoms or suffering and have had none since. Diagnosis has been good for me. I am not and have not suffered. I am aware this may change, but so far, so good.

There are far worse diseases and conditions.

 

[Diakat]

I am a diabetic
Diabetic one an I,
Person with diabetes
Person first, oh aye!
So I'm sweeter than the average
And mean and tough too,
Injections I can handle
I know more carb counts than you.
I am still waiting for a cure,
Though insulin will do,
So please respect my choices,
And I'll try to respect you.

 

[Scott-C]

Seeing as we're all in a creative mood this afternoon:

2 to 3 , I'm not happee
4 to 7, I'm in heaven
10 or more, it's a chore
30 or more, I'm at death's door

 

[Jim Young]

The audio link is

Most of poems on my blog have audio

 

[Jim Young]

No offence but I really hate it when I read/hear "suffer from diabetes" Do we really suffer, really? I mean, yes, I have diabetes and so does my 12 year old daughter but are we suffering? I think not.

Opps! - yes I agree - not the best term for me to have used apologies

 

[Daibell]

Hi. I have no problem with the term 'I am a diabetic'. Yes, I don't suffer from it but have the condition.

 

[CherryAA]

Mad though I may be, I'm positively enjoying my diabetes at present. Whilst no doubt that may change in the future, for the first time in my life I understand why I got fat. I understand how to get rid of it. I look and feel better than I have done since well before diagnosis and for the first time since my teenage years I am actually eating food I can taste.

so my ode to diabetes is

"I am a diabetic
Some may say that's tough
I say, yeah, but then.....

My blood sugars are low,
My HDL high
My triglycerides fell through the floor,

My BP is down,
My energy higher
My waistline remarkably small

I eat amazing food
and look 20 years younger,
I drink my whiskey neat

Ever since I took up low carb
my happiness is complete"

 

[ladybird64]

Suffering from complications? Yes. I suffered with DKA before diagnosis. In fact, I was given 24 hour to live. But once I got that diagnosis and my body was once again receiving insulin, the suffering was no more. For someone who looks after themselves and takes care of their diabetes, there is no need to "suffer"

Generally, I would agree about the overuse of the word "suffer" in regard to many conditions, not just diabetes.
But for some, when they have it in conjunction with numerous other conditions - and they're not in a position to look after their own health - then they certainly can suffer from diabetes.
I wish it were different, believe me.

 

[Geordie_P]

Diagnosis: a Sonnet

I’m still somewhat in a state of denial,

Since diagnosis just some months ago

Because my readings tend to be below

The diabetic threshold all the while.

The change of life is something of a trial

And my moods keep on moving to and fro

It won’t be till December that I’ll know

The status of my pancreatic isle!

But then, I realise as a point, it’s moot

At least in terms of dietary needs

I wouldn’t go back to my days of yore.

I won’t go back to carbs, and sweets and fruit,

Now I’ve got used to healthy, tasty feeds.

In certain ways, I’m happier than before.

 

[IR52]

< Audio>

I am not a diabetic.
I have diabetes - you see?
I am not obese,
I do not smoke or drink,
I am a hungry vegetarian,
and I swim in the sea each day.

Then you shouldn't have diabetes?
But unfortunately, it doesn't work that way.
My dad had diabetes and
it was his parting gift to me.
So I have made friends with my condition,
it calls me son and I call it Pop,
as I pop another pill.

I treat him with every consideration
and we do love to get it right.
My doctor treats him with reverence
and prescribes only the best wrapped gifts,
to assuage his temper, and hopefully one day
will inject some realism into my insinuation
and oft repeated question,
"Oh why dad, why? Oh why?".

Now it ought to be OK? You say.
But these bloody auto-antibodies
go hunting in a pack.
So another pill for cholesterol,
another for BP,
I know these rustling popper packs
will be the life of me.

But I am not a diabetic!
Repeat that after me,
and then maybe you will see,
that whatever my glucose status,
it is me you see - yes me.
So please don't stick a label
for now you know the truth.
You know that I suffer from diabetes,
as you might do,
one day.

http://baitthelines.blogspot.co.uk/2017/04/i-am-not-diabetic.html

That poem is fantastic - that is exactly how I feel - HB and COPD ! Thanks made me smile

 

[Jaylee]

Hi @Jim Young ,

Been listening to your recording, & the "metering" of your poem gave me an idea..
Have you ever thought of becoming a Rapper??

Well you are now!
I've been messing about with some music software.
Hope you enjoy the result...

"DWA" meaning..? I guess you wanna know. Diabetics with attitude.

Tagging in @himtoo . He loves a bit of this stuff!

 

[leslie10152]

Hi @Jim Young ,

Been listening to your recording, & the "metering" of your poem gave me an idea..
Have you ever thought of becoming a Rapper??

Well you are now!
I've been messing about with some music software.
Hope you enjoy the result...

"DWA" meaning..? I guess you wanna know. Diabetics with attitude.

Tagging in @himtoo . He loves a bit of this stuff!

First 'RAP' now 'JAB'!

 

[Squire Fulwood]

They say I’m diabetic but I think I am just old

My DN shows me numbers which means I have been told

Non Alcoholic Fatty liver is possibly the cause

But mine’s the alcoholic kind which gives me room to pause.

I could stop drinking and then be healthy as could be

But frankly it’s as likely as me living in a tree.

I’m going now to celebrate it’s wine o’clock again

The yard arm’s over the mizzen or any excuse pertains.

 

[debrasue]

Hi @Jim Young ,

Been listening to your recording, & the "metering" of your poem gave me an idea..
Have you ever thought of becoming a Rapper??

Well you are now!
I've been messing about with some music software.
Hope you enjoy the result...

"DWA" meaning..? I guess you wanna know. Diabetics with attitude.

Tagging in @himtoo . He loves a bit of this stuff!

Love it!!

 

[Tony337]

No offence but I really hate it when I read/hear "suffer from diabetes" Do we really suffer, really? I mean, yes, I have diabetes and so does my 12 year old daughter but are we suffering? I think not.

I woke up on sunday and my sugar level was 2.1.
Did I suffer?

Yes

 

[Tony337]

Whoops forgot to add a LOL..........

 

[Robinredbreast]

My ode to Diabetes

Diabetes often Sucks
Other's don't think it's Much
The decades of Injections
Not to name the Infections
The Hi's and the Low's
It's not the way to Go
Can't eat this, cant eat That
Except for the sweeties, with a hypo Attack !
Respite, a Cure
Is it all a dream, not really Sure ?
Some exercise, some Stress
Appointments, often in a Mess
But throughout the Years
With many, many Tears
We fight the good Fight
With bravery, determination and Insight
To live long and Prosper ?
Heck, I'm gonna do that for Sure

 

[Tony337]

Roses are red
Violets are blue
Some poems rhyme
But this one doesn't...............