Maelstroms we must endure.

Dear father,

Inward, towards your bewildered brain waves

where intellect erodes from flawed currents 

too domineering;

where oceans of lost memories dwell,

then fall away,

try to recall my name as it floats by 

as gentle as a swan on a serene bay.

For I fear its seeped to inlets

of immutable amnesia 

never to return.

Leaves have fallen.

Summer days have passed,

yet in your submersion

you notice nothing.

Your clamoring conversations 

are with those who've passed on;

you've become an interloper

in your own haunted dreams.

Each new day sees a fissure in the fault line

to a quake that is imminent.

Your contorted face in sleep

sees wolfs that surface at sundown;

each dream is anchored to reefs of fear 

even with eyes wide open.

Your bed is confused by frail bones.

If I could, I'd mend your afflicted mind;

shield you from monsters.

But like you, I experience maelstroms too.

You're drifting away.

I can only hope to a place of peace 

and tranquility.

One day, the storm will pass.

Both our rough seas will settle.

The bad shadows will disperse.

Another shore awaits.

Somewhere, 

soon. 

Reviews

[S. Glenn]

We can lose loved ones long before they pass. A little at a time. We can mourn their loss while looking them in the eye. Very touching poem

[Relic]

Good point, S. Thanks for the read.

[Willys Watson]

This is wonderful, touching and ever haunting verse. Most of us have had family members or other loved one who have gradually lost their memories. I love this verse.

[Relic]

Thank you very much, Willys.

[Fran Marie]

Dementia/Alzheimer's
sad illness to have
my neighbor had
it also ..your dedication
and love shines through..
in this descriptive piece

[Relic]

Thanks so much for your review, Fran.

[Fran Marie]

you're s o
very welcome
Tim;

[Chris Shaw]

Brilliant account of dementia. My mother now has it. Not to the extent that your Father does. It is a horrible disease, that eats away the brain of your dear one. My mum can no longer answer the phone without help. Although she remembers quite alot from the past, her short term memory is shattered. What you are experiencing is heart break. I dread the day my mum won't remember my name. Excellent description and the title says it all. Well done Tim.

Chris

[Relic]

Thanks very much, Chris. It gets tougher as you go along.

[Chris Shaw]

If you are caring for your Dad at home, it must be really tough. My mum is in a nursing home now, two hundred miles away. Covid has put paid to me visiting. That is heartbreak too.

[Relic]

My father was in the hospital and rehab (twice) and came home with missing teeth and 30 pounds lighter. I couldn't see him when he was in so it was quite a shock. He just went into the hospital again yesterday for constipation and came home 4 hours later covered in urine, feces and blood. Like I said, it gets tougher.

[Chris Shaw]

Hang in there my friend. You are doing a difficult job which can only be done by people with a selfless attitude. Caring is both giving and loving.

[Relic]

I agree. I've been doing it for years. The physical therapist was here today and said I was a great son and I was doing everything right. That gave me some encouragement. I'm doing all I can.

[Chris Shaw]

You should be proud of yourself. It's good that others are noticing your dedication.

[Relic]

They all say I'm doing God's work and that I'm going to heaven. ha I hope so. If not, let me win the lottery. haha

[The Rock And Roll Cowbo..]

I think you really put to words how Those who fought in war must endure. I can't even imagine.

[Poetic Beauty]

This sounds like someone who is older and still suffers from PTSD from whatever has transpired in life to create terrible dreams.

[Relic]

A bit of that and Dementia. Thanks for reading.

[Poetic Beauty]

Dementia is a hard disease to contend with. My grandpa had dementia from several strokes he had. Towards the end he called me my mom but I was okay with that because he loved my mom greatly.

[Relic]

My father called me pop this morning. It happens.

[Poetic Beauty]

Wishing you the best