Your memories are many,
locked up inside your head.
Sometimes you don't remember
the wife you love is dead.
Inside you're young and able
but your mind is telling tales.
You're in a wheelchair at the table
and your bed has safety rails.
Your care plan doesn't mention
that you fought a bloody war.
Now your elbows take the battering
as they wheel you through the door.
Your care plan never mentions
hopes and dreams you planned to share.
Those life savings you worked hard for,
now pay towards your care.
The carers try their hardest
to keep you clean and smart.
So many regulations now,
no wonder they lose heart.
Sometimes you may remember,
your children visit you.
You're lucky if they stay an hour
but it's hard for them to do.
It breaks their hearts to see you now,
this frail person you've become.
Old photographs bring memories
of a personality, now gone.
Sometimes a little flashback
will give you some recall.
Though few and far between now
as dementia takes it's toll.
So with affection, they remember,
the great man you used to be.
A kind and loving father
who once bounced them on his knee.
Author notes
Written March 1st, 2006
A contest entry
- Make me cry!!! by xDemonicxAngelx.
350 points, ended March 23, 2006, 43 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - TEN THOUSAND POINTS OF RHYME (Now 20,000+) Part 8 Sad/Nostalgia by cricketjeff.
1500 points, ended January 24, 2008, 51 entries
Bronze trophy winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
What did you think
Comments
1 - 21 of 21
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My grandmother just passed away a few days ago from Alzheimer's. The words of this poem are all too real... I can't see through the tears, so I will keep this short. But wow.... this would go perfectly in my contest. Amazing, touching... wow
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Many congratulations Ann on your bronze trophy.
I feel I must add my congratulations personally to those that Jeff has given you on my behalf. Your poem was outstanding and you treated the effects of dementia with tenderness and warmth.
Once again, well done.
Love Sue
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Hearty congatulations and well deserved-
My aunt has the beginnings of dementia and we take it in turns to go see her at her flat-she copes well at the moment but it is starting to get worse. Blessings to you. xxx
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Ouch! Legend, this is striking. Batters the heart. Congrats on the trophy. Your words truly affect me. This disease is horrific. Dementia can take cruel twists and turns and I'm talking from true experience. I worked in a nursing home long ago and cared for an elderly parent suffering dementia coupled with hallucinations and paranoia due to chemo. and other mind altering medications. We all pay the price. It touches so many lives in so many ways. I've read some horror stories, kin to mine. The best I can do is pick up what pieces I can find and begin anew. My best to you, always. Thank you for sharing this.--Kel
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A victory!
Hi, your poem is a victory for those who need care. What a fabulous way to snap many of us to attention. I know a carer, in fact a few, and of course ageing and wonderful people. I believe your poem says far more than any article on the subject. This poem brings a great sense of 'family' to the subject. A truly wonderful write, and many congratulations on your success.
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This has to be the best poem of yours I have read. Wonderfully sad, the starting stanzas are very near to perfect, a bit of work at the end perhaps needed. This is easily worthy of a gold, but I'm afraid we can only give you bronze.
Thank-you very much for your continued support in the series. When we started running these it was hard to find rhymers on AP who would admit their guilty secrets, now many of the best "Free-Versers" are entering!
On a more personal level I know that this series has improved my own poetry enormously and that Sue feels the same. We have also met a great many poets we did not know existed several of whom I now class as friends. Thank-you very much for this entry.
Jeff and Sue
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This was great!!.. Such a deep and heart-felt poem!.. You did an amazing job with this!!.. Thanks for entering and good luck!!
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Hi Ann.
You're very welcome. Take care. Shelley -
Thanks for comments and no it isn't personal, just based on my observations in my work as a carer in residential home. Glad you enjoyed the poem,
Ann. -
Thanks Shelley, for clicking and taking time to read what is a long piece by my standards!
Ann -
Thanks for comments, yes I know what you mean about some carers, but I suppose we all have 'off' days in any job. I try to feel how I would like to be treated and this keeps me in check.
Ann -
Thanks Rebeka (nice way of spelling your name). I'm glad you could identify with it. I have had this poem criticized for being negative and somewhat dictatorial but it's how things are
isn't it?
Ann -
Thanks for your comments, just remember none of us are perfect and people with dementia can be very frustrating.Read my poem "Suppressed" and you will see what I mean and being so close to someone makes it harder. God bless you and stop feeling guilty! Us carers swear under our breath all the time but we still love them to bits!
Ann. -
thats raly sad im raly sory if this was parsnol but hey it was raly well wrghten i love the flow
sam out
ps sory about my spelling i cant help it -
A sad lament so beautifully stated. Lovely imagery, flow and rhyme. There are many ways to lose someone that you love, but this I think is the hardest. You have described the pain of seeing a loved one who no longer knows who you are... or who they are. So they are left with the lovely memories of days long past. A well crafted piece. Thanks so much for sharing it.
Shelley -
excellent
Having worked in Nursing Homes and had relatives in them, I understand this poem very well. You sound like a care giver who really does care how the resident is treated and cared for. Altho I have seen quite a few who didn't and don't. I think you did a good job with this piece. Please continue to write with compassion and careing. -
very sad write, it is so hard to see the young soul inside the old body at times, especially when they have given up and become old...this write was very real. i work with oldies, i relate to this in many ways.
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Don't be sorry - because it made you want to read more and that's the whole idea. Thanks very much for your comments and for taking the trouble to read it!
Ann -
Well okay. Basically i thought you were doing it from a young girls point of view. and saying that your mother had died and father had become some kind of player and forotten that he ever had a wife. Yeah i know, i was WAY off. But thats what i got from the first paragraph. Im very sorry!
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Thanks for applause and please explain what you mean as I won't be offended. I work in a care home for alzheimers and this poem is based on my observations.
Ann. -
amazing!
Oh my god, im crying....That is a BEAUTIFUL poem. But oh so sad!!! It has a flow when read aloud or even when i read it in my head!!! At first i was a little confused, i wont say why because im not sure if its offensive or not and i dont want to kill this comment. i basically LOVE your poem, please write LOTTS more.
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