Essential Tremor

When I first learned

About the essential tremor,

I just kept thinking,

Well, everyone’s got something—

My little cross to bear.

A jerk here, a twitch there.

Nothing more, nothing less.

Could be much worse; I guess.

What’s a shake among friends?

Yesterday, the doctor told me

There’s a pill I can take

To relieve the symptoms.

But he warned me, honestly,

The side effects may be worse

Than the supposed benefit.

That has me evaluating

Whether it’s even worth it.

Perhaps, time, alone, will tell,

And I’ll simply ride it out,

As long as possible.

For now though, it appears,

I’m part of the family tree—

A single leaf on a branch,

Twisting in this curious wind.