It’s Hard To See

Finalist – Parkinsong 2026

A song about and for my mum who suffers from Parkinson’s disease. This song was made in collaboration with Prof. Bas Bloem. Half of all proceeds (if any) will go to research on the benefits of art for people with Parkinson’s. Released on WORLD PARKINSON’S DAY 2025

For My Mum

She can’t sit still, can’t walk.
Sometimes she runs the stairs up and down.
Suddenly she’s stuck. No turning, no movement.
… It’s done. So it’s hard to see the pain in
your eyes. Confusion that it’s you. But
you still try. It’s hard to see that
this thing inside slowly takes you
away from
love. From
love.

I’m holding your hand so the
shaking would stop. Cuz you’re a proud
woman. You don’t want people to judge,
but let them stare. Yeah. Let them talk.
You’re the bravest one I know. And I’m
proud you’re my mom, but it’s hard to
see the pain in your eyes. Confusion
that hits you. And you still try. It’s
hard to see that this thing
inside slowly takes you
away.
Oh,
away from
us.

Body freezes up while your mouth
shakes away. So much you want to tell me
and nothing you can say. I lay next to you.
… We’re staring outside. These roll over face.
And I can feel you’re giving up, but it’s hard to
see the pain in your eyes. Confusion
that it’s you. And you still
hard to see that this thing
inside slowly takes you away.
away from
us.

Oh, where
where do you draw the line?
When is it too hard to still try?
When when does it stop?
When has she suffered enough?
Cuz it’s hard to see the pain inyour
eyes. Confusion. Let it. But you always
try. It’s hard to see that this thing
inside slowly takes you away.
Oh, away
from
love.