You Don'T Look Sick Poem by Patricia PMC

She doesn't have a humpback,
or deformation of any kind.
She doesn't have anything you've heard of
so you think she is just fine.

You cannot see the pain she feels,
or the agony that churns within.
You only see the smile that she
painted for you to see.
The one that makes her look
just like you and me.

If you could spend just
one day in her body,
you might then understand,
just what it's like to face each day
not knowing how to plan.
Or how with each new symptom
that may arise,
you find new ways to try to disguise.

And if you could be inside her mind,
you would then see the pains that bind.
And you would then know it's not all in her head,
and try to understand what lies ahead.

She doesn't want nor need your pity,
or for you to treat her so unkind.
She only wants your understanding
of what she's going through inside.

She doesn't need to apologize,
or to have your consent.
She's just so sick and tired
of being sick and tired, and trying to explain,
to those who refuse to listen
and leave her feeling drained.

It wont help to ignore her,
that wont make it go away.
She just needs you to believe in her
and be there along the way.

So don't look at her and tell her,
(Well, you don't look sick)
Instead ask her how she's doing
and share a loving smile.
It helps to just relax and have a cup of tea,
to know that you can see, inside she's not like you and me.