He sits on his bed,
knuckles like concord trunks
fumble with shirt buttons,
“Where are we going?” he asks,
for the fourth or fifth time.
“To the cemetery,”
slips past the swell
in my throat.
“Oh? Who died?”
I have to tell him again,
“It was Jessie, Grandpa.”
His mouth opens
in silent grief,
eyes dip
to hide anguished surprise,
“Is the funeral today?”
This conversation replays
all the way there.
Full moon shows through
the blue and white painted sky.
Lavender and yellow daisies
cover the casket.
Faces of family and friends
are all new to him.
Each condolence becomes
a fresh fracture
to blessed Alzheimer’s.
He sits, eyes in the past,
as Beloved Wife is eulogized.
Present slips in
when her name is said,
and a new mourning period begins.
He’s borne many palls,
and always stayed strong;
walked with grief,
squared off with death
more than once.
When he joins the chorus
of Amazing Grace,
he is again, stronger
than all of us.
Author notes
My grandpa is such a pillar of strength. He survived being wounded in WW2, he beat lukemia when he was in his 40's. He "died" when a vein in his stomach burst, but he was brought back, he's survived a quintuple bypass, he was hit by a drunk driver and come back after two brain surgeries while he's been in his 80's. His spirit is truly a tribute to life, Alzheimer's has taken many of his memories.
A contest entry
- My first contest by karma-n-peace.
550 points, ended October 23, 2007, 23 entries
Gold trophy winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - Alzheimer's Poems by Cherokee.
1750 points, ended February 3, 2008, 16 entries
Silver trophy winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - Show me something. by morgana raven.
900 points, ended December 30, 2008, 80 entries
Gold trophy winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Please tell me what you think
Comments
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Simply, ... just , wonderful.
thank you for entering,
Laura. -
This is a very beautiful, sad poem. Alzheimer's is a devastating disease. I really hate to remove you, but since this poem has already won gold it is not eligible to be in this contest. Thank you!
♥
whisper
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If published elsewhere, be sure to let me know so I can give first publishing credit where deserved. This is important.
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You are in the finals. In an IM to me, please write a very concise third-person bio, using your author name.
Include a few of your most important previous publications if you wish.
Below that write a very short few lines of your personal connection to Alzheimer's such as if your loved one has the disease or if you are a nurse or personal care assistant, etc. and your thoughts. Please make this very brief.
My receipt of this IM will be proof of permission to publish your bio, thoughts, and poem on my blog in the neighborsgo section of the Dallas Morning News online and in print as well if it is selected by the Editors. Thank you for sharing your lovely poem.
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This is simply superb--a poem of genuine emotional impact.
Bill
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That was beautiful. Good luck!
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The way this was written felt like i was sitting across from you as you shared sacred memories of your life. Hands down, you are a wonderful writer.
Warmly, Chrissy
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An Amazing Poem
This is an amazing poem and piece of writing. Your words here capture the true tragedy of Alzheimers. It is also a very gentle piece that shows great respect for your Grandfather and his illness. My mother is 87 and has Alzheimers so I fully understand what this illness is like. So I would just like to add that you have my respect for being able to write about this illness and its effect on your Grandfather in such a caring and compassionate way. All my very best wishes from Rose xx
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I loved the first section, and the last stanza... I'm not entirely sure the middle is really necessary. To me, it would read with much more intensity with the first three stanzas and the final stanza. The others help fill in the story line, but I'm just not sold on wether or not it really needs to be there to add impact. It almost slowed down the intensity I felt coming on. But still... the last stanza makes it all worth it. Lovely. Thanks for entering.
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wow congrats, great poem, sorry to hear about his alzheimers...my father too has recently been diagnosed with early alzheimers...he is 81...thanks for sharing
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You most definatley deserved a gold for this.
You have a wonderful way of expression and congrats!
You deserve it. It's a wonderful write along with your other work. I enjoy reading your poetry very much!~
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I am at a loss for what to say, aside from this is an awesome piece. So heart wrenching!
Put together perfectly.
Thanks for sharing this with us and for entering it in my contest! -
What can I say? I cried. Thank you for your critique, your words now carry greater power and meaning.
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Wow! This is excellent. I've never had to deal with Alzheimer's (thank goodness), but I do have a friend whose been taking care of her father...this could have been him. Knowing what she goes through on a day to day basis, I give my utmost respect to anyone who can and does take care of a family member.
This piece is touching...I'm sure you will touch a lot of souls with this.
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my father has Alzheimers so your poem really hit home. he is still living on his own but not for much longer i'm afraid
short-term memory is the first to go so when you tell an Alzheimer patient bad news they immediately forget and must be told again and again. each time it's new grief to them.
good write that puts the reader right there
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My mother has been caring for my grandfather full time for the past 6 years. I don't know how she does it because I took care of him for three days recently (while she was on her honeymoon) and it nearly killed me!
It was not hard at first because Grandpa was still there, mostly, but he has slipped further and further away. He can't be left alone at all anymore, and he has a big problem with incontenance.
My poor mother has spent her whole adult life taking care of people. She took care of my grandmother before she died back in the late 70's, and then she ended up taking care of her husband for three years before his death. She had to take care of my grandfather's second wife, and now Grandpa, but at least she found a wonderful man who is now taking care of her for a change. The only problem is, as her new husband has moved his furniture into the house, Grandpa no longer recognizes things, and he does not think he is home anymore. Today, while I was there, he kept asking for someone to call a taxi to take him home.
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Sad but so well told ...
Your poetical talents capture so much in this choice entry! Very nicely done and thanks for sharing. joy
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speechless
having gone through Alzheimers with family I am not only speechless at the beauty of this work but shedding tears which I don't easily do when I read poems. I am amazed at this, you have no idea!! - in the 3rd to last stanza should it be sits instead of sit (I hate to even mention such a minute detail in the presense of such a masterpiece!)
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very good
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Brilliant
Danna, I love to read what you write. Every time I do I am reminded of the difference between telling and showing. I felt like I was third person observing the setting, listening to the conversation, and feeling hurt for his loss as if it were mine. Thanks for writing, Rhon
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This honestly brought tears to my eyes as I read it. It's such a painful piece. Memory is one of the worst things we could ever lose. An amazing poem, which I'm sure will have no trouble placing in the contest. --->pixxie<---
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