it's not easy being ill, <br />especially for those around you. <br />with each new breath you might <br />cause alarm, mental harm <br /> <br />being ill one must fulfill <br />expectations and patient stigmas <br />being in pain or suffering in silence <br />play the part of martyr or nearly so <br /> <br />wince, grimly sigh and gasp <br />moan and groan to fit the scene <br /> <br />taking medicines has a protocol <br />care and pedantic, diligent and dilettante <br />show some aversion and weariness <br />lest some say you enjoy pill popping <br />of substances that contain more than relief <br /> <br />patient and spectator, relative or friend <br />must have a bond of credibility <br />so that empathy and sympathy <br />soar in their company <br /> <br />once it is beleived you are sick <br />you must keep a level of trust <br />that you are suffering <br />to exact commiseration unstinting <br /> <br />so that if, you God forbid, <br />they will say you always kept a stiff upper lip, <br />it's so important to make the correct impression<br /><br />shimon weinroth<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/ironic-satire/