As the light dims

How cruel..

He cried, sorely,
unashamedly, as a child would,
frustrated and scared because he no longer remembered.

She cried, sadly,
helplessly, as children do,
because she had been forgotten by a love that she would always remember.

" I don't know who you are,
or why you visit,
but I know in my heart that I love you "

He squeezed her held hand,
kissed her brow,
they cried.

Author's Note

A friend of mine from the past has just been diagnosed with dementia, he is 56 years young.

Reviews

[Chris Shaw]

Dementia, is a most cruel disease. Not to be able to recognise your loved ones, or remember anything about yourself must be devastating and confusing. Like wise from the perspective of close relatives, completely shattering. You poem is touching Gee. I hope it won't be long now before scientific research comes up with an answer.

Chis

[LazerRays]

This is a sad and true poem that will tug many peoples hearts

[Gee]

Thank you..

[Davidgeo]

6th line... 'ever' would work better as 'never'.

My father suffered from early onset Alzheimer's/dementia. He killed himself at age 62. He was highly intelligent and a very proud man but he refused to be a burden so, yeah. It was very sad to see the unraveling of such an impressive mind. When someone you love becomes a stranger in a familiar body it is devastating in a way that is very hard to articulate. At the end his worst days were the days he remembered bits and pieces of who he was but couldn't quite put it together. It was a tragedy that I still haven't really gotten over.

I'm glad your wrote on this topic, it's something I've been avoiding for a long time. This poem means a lot to me.

[Gee]

Good morning David, hope you are well. So sorry to read of your father's passing and his/ your families suffering.
I guess you get your brains from him !!
Thanks for taking the time to relate your story and comment.