Tag: Dementia

with patterns

On By Beleaguered ServantIn Original PoemsLeave a comment

he struggling now with patterns, all
these shapes and corners, somewhere
is his home; i know, i’ve seen him on
the street or on this bench, and so i
lead him to the green door round the
way; the shapes and patterns: crosses
on the door, and in the windows; plants
that hang from fraying ropes; and calendars
of years and years before that line the
walls within a paneled room he calls a
study. then he thanks me, and i go, only
to see an hour hence, he’s back again, and
struggling with patterns, all these shadows that
mislead a man, and make him think that time has
been more kind

Oh, Friend

On By Beleaguered ServantIn Original Poems4 Comments

I’ve watched the stars go dim behind your eyes
That twinkled once with mind and self control;
Why is it we must lose the very things
We’re proudest of, as we release the soul?

The pathways to the brain we count upon
Grow frayed and loose and double back again;
Frustration fills the searching, reaching mind,
That cannot find what is, or what has been –

Oh, friend, I wish the years were less unkind:
But you still have your dignity, to me –
I owe you that: respect, for who you are,
And were, and will (in my eyes) always be —

Dementia’s bent your space and foiled your will;
But there’s a good man
Great man
In there
Still

Dementia Monologue

On By Beleaguered ServantIn Original PoemsLeave a comment

1957_Dodge_Royal_sedan_03-1024

the brain gets  t w i s t e d
a n d                   y o u
can't                    find
y  o  u r             w  a  y
outBecauseYou'reSoConfusedAnd

what was i saying?  the brain          
     Did I ever tell you
gets twisted and you can't find        
     about when we stole
your way out because you're angry      
     that old '57 Dodge from
and                                    
     Clint Smith's dad?
frustrated with everything that keeps  
     He owned the Dodge
                                       
     dealership and we
I feel like I've outlived              
     thought that
My usefulness
I feel like
I feel like just
I don't believe in ending your own
I feel like just

What's... what was I saying?