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Hysteria Versus Hypochondria
by Rusty C Arquette
My mom
could yell
she did it a lot
she would scream,
get red in the face too
she often tossed
out words in anger
that were all too familiar
to any longshoreman
on the New York docks
she suffered from
migraines
that didnt help at all
her relationship with
my old man was cool
at best
that didnt help either
all in all Id say
she wasnt a happy person
which meant my brother
and I got the worst
of her wrath
so at some point early on
I discovered that
when I was feeling sick
mom would put
me on the couch
to nurse me back to health
keeping me home
from school
just her and I
what a concept
shed turn on
the television
to Captain Kangaroo
or maybe an old 40s
black and white movie
and shower me
with love and attention
it was a welcome
break from her usual
assault on my childhood
my angel of mercy
would bring me saltines
and hot buttered toast
Campbells chicken soup
or tomato soup by
the cup or bowl full
to build up my strength
and Vernors Ginger Ale
to quench my thirst
shed apply a cool cloth
to my fevered brow
and make sure I was
comfortable and secure
under warm
fluffy blankets
shaking the thermometer
and taking my temperature
20 times a day
I was treated
like some little prince
and I longed to remain
dozing away the afternoon
lost in those tender,
peaceful moments
forever
I had learned something
in these passing illnesses
I was in total heaven
I could do no wrong
I was her baby boy
in need of nurturing
and nursing
and she did it all well
as long as I was sick
and there
but for the grace
of common sense
and insight
could have gone the
most maladjusted
hypochondriac
the world would
ever know
that and the fact
that when I was
once again healthy
shed slip from
Florence Nightingale
back into her manic
wicked witch routine
breathing fire
as neurotic as ever
it was the only thing
that really kept it
all in check
hysteria versus
hypochondria
I still like
my Vernors
and a warm spot
on the couch
and it doesnt take
much to keep me
home from work
so let me take
this moment
to say...
thanks mom
you helped make me
the exceptional
neurotic
I am today
05/16/2005 Author's Note: I have a cold today...I suppose that is the reason for coming up with this old jewel...pass the chicken soup!
Posted on 04/12/2008
Copyright © 2024 Rusty C Arquette
| Member Comments on this Poem |
| Posted by Quentin S Clingerman on 04/13/08 at 12:24 PM Wonderful, wonderful; perception is everything! This brought a sympathetic laugh as I read the ending! You know how much I enjoy your descriptive narrative poetry! |
| Posted by Anita Mac on 04/14/08 at 06:41 PM Heh... My relationship with my mum was quite similar growing up. lol Love the last stanza. |
| Posted by Charles E Minshall on 04/15/08 at 04:38 AM Funtastic Rusty....CharMin |
| Posted by Frank Lee on 04/16/08 at 07:38 AM this is a cool vision into your youth...nothing does a body better than campbells...hope youre doing well. peace. FL. |
| Posted by Lauren Singer on 04/17/08 at 04:12 PM sounds like we have similar moms in different generations. it's the mother hen syndrome... and the new york one. loved this. :) |
| Posted by Chris Sorrenti on 04/19/08 at 09:28 PM Excellent trip into family life and the workings of the mind RCat. The real beauty of this is that I'm sure we all can relate to it in our own way. 5 thumbs up. |
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