Promise me

Dementia is our most-feared illness, more than heart disease or cancer. David Perlmutter

Find my tracks

where I went,

 

the trail of footsteps in the sand

misplaced but not lost

 

count my steps

backwards anew

be water in regression

 

pull me out of myself

and lay the mainland

back in my hands

 

recognize me

when tomorrow

I forget about the day before

when I see this stranger in my mirror

 

promise me today

now that I still know

now that I still understand.

 

© Rudi J.P. Lejaeghere

Reviews

[Confuser]

This is quite a powerful piece. Seems you are an experienced writer. I thought it was a beautiful poem. My Grandmother had dementia too; and it was very sad. I was go and see her and she would cry; forgot that I had been there and thought I had forgotten. This says so much - I loved it.

[Rudi J.P. Lejaeghere]

Thank you so much, Confuser, I've already written many poems and stories in Dutch, but this are my first steps on English websites. :)
Rudi

[Aatharva Banaitkar]

a good piece of work as expected i like the way you write in a particular style

[Rudi J.P. Lejaeghere]

Thank you very much for your kind remarks. Have a nice day. :) Rudi

[Delmar Cooper]

So here I am and there I was, speak to me about then now, while you have time.

[Rudi J.P. Lejaeghere]

Thank you Delmar, for reading my poem. :)

Rudi

[B.J]

Promise me today.. Such poignant words well written

[Rudi J.P. Lejaeghere]

Thank you B.J. for your kind words, glad you liked it. :)
Rudi

[B.J]

your welcome

[Sanjh]

Wow, this is wonderful Sir. I loved it. Specially the lines

promise me today
now that I still know
now that I still understand.

Great work...:)

[Rudi J.P. Lejaeghere]

Thank you Sanh, glad you liked it. :) Rudi

[Wind Chaser]

The last stanza is my favorite. The helplessness of a demented patient was portrayed well in the last two stanzas, but the last part wished for a promise and hinted at hope for something which is still bright in the victim's life. It seems to go so much deeper than dementia, for I can relate life as a transient day which we fight to hold onto before it disappears.

Congratulations on your achievement in the contest! I'm sorry to hear about your grandmother, but I'm sure she is very content at your understanding for her situation.

Looking forward to reading more :)

[Rudi J.P. Lejaeghere]

Thank you for your kind words, my grandmother has already died for several years, but when I read this poem of mine it reminds me always of here. :) Rudi

[Wind Chaser]

Sorry to hear that :(
I'm glad that it does :)

[Rudi J.P. Lejaeghere]

It's the translation of an old poem of mine in Dutch. In 2002 in Waregem in Belgium I've won the first prize in a big contest. It was alway one of my favourite's. It describes my fear of demency, to forget all what is important and not recognize your loved ones. My grandmother was dement in her old age and I have seen it in my father's eyes that it causes lots of pain. :)

Rudi

[Hímayun kuræshýe]

ohh i'm sorry to hear that...yes,it must be really painful

it makes me appretiate it more and more after coming to know about the story behind the poem

i congratulate you on your achievements in field of writing and wish best for many more to come :) thanks

[Hímayun kuræshýe]

i see promise,hope and trust in these words ....

makes me think of similar times ,where i was
promised heavens,given hope and i trusted
blindly !

i really enjoyed it alot sir....thanks fr sharing ..