"I don't know who you are but I know I love you"

Alzheimers

"I don't know who you are
but I know I love you"

It was these words,
words spoken through thin, chapped lips
that brought tears,
tears that had been held back for years
by a dam of "I must be strong"
The tears of a daughter, now the mother, carer,
and helpless spectator to a life waning
as one by one memories deleted,
factory settings reset to birth
where every face now a stranger...

Reviews

[Buddhistboy73]

Thanks for sharing this heartfelt poem about the demise of a loved one.

The line "factory settings reset to birth" was especially poignant for me.

Keep up the great writing .....

BB73

[emmajoygreen]

'as one by one memories deleted,
factory settings reset to birth
where every face now a stranger...'

Such a cruel way to suffer after a life full of probabilities. Like most of our cafe members we know people suffering from something they're not aware of. It might have been slow in coming, it might not be present to fullness as yet but - is recognised by strangers and families alike. The hospice is almost fifth full of people suffering this wicked and tragic illness. As a medical friend said to me recently perhaps we would all try more often to watch the dawn rising and nightfall beckoning to understand how the long dark night hits. Knowledge helps until memories are no more but ..

Your words are.. more than, Gee. Thank you, my friend for reminding us that living life and using it well is the best gift we're given until.. it's lost.

[Lorry]

Well said Gee. Dementia is the pain that keeps on giving, or should that be taking?
The loved ones left in the tsunami of dealing with it keep feeling its quakes long after the loved one/sufferer is gone. It takes from all in its wake.
Most of all, for a writers point of view at least, it takes the ability to make sense of it for so long that most just give up.
It never really gets easier, does it?

[Emunah June.]

Dementia is probably one of the cruelest diseases known to mankind. To think a parasite can rip away our memories and swallow them whole, like they were never there, is horrible. I worked in hospitals where I spent alot of time with dementia / Alzheimer's patients, and it was always hard to see them. Asking the same questions several times in a few minutes, forgetting where they are, their families, all of it. Its difficult! And you penned this beautifully -- the sorrow, the changing of roles, the view of life from a very small window. Its all so tragic, but written so well.

[Chris Shaw]

So relatable Gee. My only aunt died a couple of weeks ago age 93. She had dementia and had forgotten who I was. She had not forgotten the love she felt when I hugged her. She still felt it, and I am so grateful for that. (She had no children) Your poem is touching and a reminder just how awful alzheimers and dementia is, but how strong love is. All good wishes to you and yours.

Chris