All that was known now gone

Dementia

She smiles, her eyes light briefly
for she knows deep in her heart
that the stranger taking care of her
in her life has played a part,
but that role is now forgotten
and the stage, her life, now cleared
what cherished and once loved dearly
now viewed with caution and feared.

She tends, she soothes and comforts
whispers softly through her tears
"what life is this dear mother
after a love filled 80 years"

Author's Note

It's kinda incomplete...perhaps will add more. Tis nice to write something after what seems like an age between posts:)

Reviews

[redzone]

My Aunt had dementia/Alzheimer's. It took her life after ravaging her memory. The last time I saw her at a family reunion, she said, "I'm sorry, I know I should know you...." It's a terrible, heart wrenching disease. My Uncle took care of her until he couldn't anymore. Your poem brought back memories of my Aunt Laural. Thank you for sharing, I know it isn't easy.
-Curt

[Gee]

Belated thanks Curt

[emmajoygreen]

If such sad words can be superb, yours are, Gee,

'She smiles, her eyes light briefly
for she knows deep in her heart
that the stranger taking care of her
in her life has played a part,
but that role is now forgotten
and the stage, her life, now cleared
what once cherished, dearly loved
now viewed with caution, feared.

She tends, she soothes and comforts
soft whispers through her tears
"what life is this dear mother
after a love filled 80 years"

To add, if I may, when I asked after a friend's mother - G----, a sad but brave friend, an only child, summed up the word 'Dementia' to me by saying,

'She's alright, happy enough- sort of - BUT, dear Lord, Em, I wish I could have my mum back. :(

[Gee]

A belated thank you m'dear.
Hope all is well and you are enjoying the sun😎

[Lorry]

Dementia is the cruellest of illnesses that affects not only the sufferer but all that love and care for them too.
It must have its reasons to treat people's minds like an etch a sketch that snakes it clean from the comfort of knowing and recognising, but I cannot think what that reason would be.
Nicely captured Gee. Hope you are well.

[Gee]

Belated thanks Lorry

[Chris Shaw]

‘What life is this dear mother’, this poem touches the heart Gee and is a reminder to me of my mum and more recently my aunt who died in February. My mum never forgot who I was, but my aunt did. She only knew that I was kind. A sadness that comes with old age. Lovely to find a new poem from you. Have a beautiful Sunday.

Chris

[Gee]

Thanks Christine.
Hope you are well and enjoying the sun