Poem: My Life with Rheumatoid Arthritis (World Arthritis Day, October 12)

Some days are fine 
other days my head 
is full of fog 
my fingers
do not work 
the way 
they're supposed to 
my joints scream 
every step hurts
It's more than 
just bad bones
and the coming of age
they all tell me 
to move, move, move 
he says he has
a 'treatment'
nod nod, wink wink
he says with a smirk
it will feel better
when you get
your blood flowing
take more vitamins 
and hot showers
I've heard all the advice
all of whatever
their aunt, sister, grandma
has done over the years
but all I want to do 
is sleep.