Dementia, the progressive decline in cogitative function, due to damage or disease.
Every week, I see it constantly,
the degeneration of my patients,
gradually some make less and less sense,
become more violent,
become unable to preform even the simplest task...
Seeing this, my heart wrenches,
hearing one woman believe I am her mother,
believe that I am angry at her....
yet being unable to do anything,
other then say "no, no, you're mistaken, I am not angry,"
in fear of upsetting her,
watching dear friends forget and no longer recognize me,
see my own helplessness reflected in the waning light in their eyes,
as the intensity of grows,
slowly, quickly,
setting no specific pace....
sometimes, they will seem to be recovering, getting better....
but all to soon,
the storm begin anew,
more ferocious then ever,
sapping their strength,
until they wilt,
a vague shadow of what and who they once were,
...a lost soul, about to die.
Author notes
I volunteer on Friday's at a dementia care nursing home. Basically all I really do is go around and talk to various patients, but sometimes its really hard. I've only been volunteering there since July of 2007, but already two or three of the patients got to know died, and many other's conditions deteriorated. That is the viewpoint I wrote this poem from.
A contest entry
- Fire of your mind by DestiniesTwined.
900 points, ended March 13, 2008, 44 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Please tell me what you think [Reward: double points]
Comments
1 - 12 of 12
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Detail is wonderful, it flows rather nicely, it's beautiful all the way around, and everything else is just beautiful. Good write.
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as already said, very powerful...
thanks for sharing
Tasha
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a powerful piece that this written with such poetical devices and working.i love the detail and flow of it as well. well done
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A very powerful piece. I feel poetically - this could use a bit of editing for tense and wording, but overall very poignant. Nice write!
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a very very powerful write. to be a witness to this must be extremely difficult but to hold that space for others is a genuine act of compassion. than you for writing this ... I found this very rewarding.
. Rewarded 4
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A very emotional write that I am sure many people can relate to. This is such a mysterious illness. it is so strange how the mind can just blank things out making people forget who they are. It is very sad to witness. Thank you for sharing this with us.
. Rewarded 6
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A demanding and rewarding piece that moves and tells. Your charitable work is without price.
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That is so sad.. dementia is a terrible thing.. to lose one's memories must not only be sad but frightening.. and I can imagine it is very hard to see people going through that. I applaud you for taking the time and volunteering to do that.. shows a loving spirit...
This poem a great and really made me stop and think... thank you for penning it!
. Rewarded 6
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great write
very apt descrption of a horendeous reality.
you put it very well and even kindly, but remain realistic and don't slide into gaudy pity
. Rewarded 4
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Thanks for entering my contest. I wish you much luck.
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That's really sad. You're very strong to be able to put up with things such as that. I think you did a very good job expressing your sorrow and pain within this. I hope things get better and easier for you.
Much love. -
bloody hell loved it
hmm reminds me of zombies haha ... been reading too many of those books but yeh thats what i picture
then again if we all start to lose our minds and no longer remember ... we will be a walking corpse
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