A Journey To Nowhere

(more holes in thinking, the tragedy of dementia)

Auntie

.

your accusations fly sky high

grounded on false reality

they hurt feelings

.

a crossroad looms ahead

i appear to have fallen

through cracks in your memory

.

who am i apart from

someone vaguely familiar

where is your absent niece

.

do you think you are abandoned

she sits beside you

as she dines on verbal abuse

.

with a lashing of the physical

thrown in for added measure

unpalatable food

.

not quite knowing what to do

she hasn't yet mastered 

the new you

.

the fare on the spring menu

not to her taste

it reeks of spiteful stew

.

where are we going

we are both on a journey

to a dead end 

Reviews

[Neville]

the fact that anyone at all can create something such as this, so meaningful and poignant out of just words (the tools of our craft, so to speak) speaks volumes for poetry & also the individual that made such a remarkable job of crafting them into a thing of literary beauty and from their personal insight into life's huge stash of nasties that sadly lay ahead and waiting for so many of us and our loved ones .. is truly something special ...................... if I had one with me now, I would take my hat off to her .. Neville

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Neville. Sometimes stuff just turns up from nowhere. Needless to say the timing here was all wrong, but on a happy note, it is sorted. Auntie is happy and loving her niece again in her much confused state. Old age is cruel, but she is within easy reach now, about a mile away so I see her more often.

Chris

[Carola]

hi chris
very true words and written well.
my 98 y.o. mother currently has this progressive disease, although at this stage most times she knows who we still are.
cheerio carola

[Chris Shaw]

So pleased that at least your mother knows who you are. Such a cruel disease Carola. Thanks fir checking in.

Chris

[KATHY SUE SILLS]

This was sad and hit home! This illness is awful for the one who has it and their family!

[Chris Shaw]

Thanks Kathy, it is a cruel disease for sure. All good wishes.

Chris

[KATHY SUE SILLS]

My pleasure!

[Betty Hermelee]

there are many cracks and scars in this aunt's memory as her behavior toward you. It seems that you are a nobody to her and that her treatment of her daughter and you is less than desired. In addition, she treats her own daughter like scum; who would do that as a mother or as an aunt? Her behavior is inexcusable, and really shows that in this poem. your words are perfect. Great job, dear Chris, even though it's a dark poem. Not all of them can be bright.
Best, B

[Chris Shaw]

Dementia is a cruel disease and makes people act in a way totally alien to their family and friends at times. Thank you dear Betty for your valued visit and your interpretation of a dark write.

Chris

[LJ]

This is hard, a difficult journey for both parties mentioned here. It's a good poem, though. The dots you used between short stanzas seem to illustrate the illness dealt with. Like each thought and rebuke and caring are separated by the fickle ways of dementia.
I had a friend who died of early onset Alzheimer and there was often that pain of not being known anymore and even misunderstood. I believe it was felt, to some degree, by both of us.
However, I also think there is more being discovered about dementia that I hope will be helpful for any caregiver in such a situation. It seems harder when you're related, perhaps. I know it was hard to see both my parents forget who I was at times, and even forget themselves. The care-giving could get difficult. Still, I'm glad it was done. Best of everything needed to you! Keep writing... Thanks.
LJ

[Chris Shaw]

Many thanks for your visit and sharing your thoughts about my poem. Appreciated.

Chris

[Lisasview]

Difficult to read..but I read it again... Brings up such memories..so sad.. As, you know my mother also had this cruel disease.
Somehow, (and I am perhaps reading between the lines) I feel your poem is more than it seems.."Where is your absent niece.."
I also had absent family member and was basically left alone to manage taking care of my mother... It isn't easy.. I also took care of my father in-law and step other all with dementia..
Lisa, dark here at 7:30am..Spain
Ireally feel this is a good poem Chris...

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Lisa for checking this poem out on the tragedy of dementia. Such a cruel disease as you know. Your thoughts appreciated. Hope you are well.

Chris

[Lisasview]

You are most welcome.

[Fabian G. Franklin]

I went to visit my aunt in Hospice after my mother died. She looked at my brother and I as if we were aliens from another planet and then ignored us so we got up and left. You do what you can and accept what you can't do. I think St. Christopher prayed something supposedly to that effect. It's sad but what else is there? Tenderly, F.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Fabian for sharing your thoughts. A cruel disease for sure. There is only so much you can do. Pleased you checked in.

Chris

[Lathen Griffiths]

Such a sad and hard thing to witness Chris, thank you for sharing

Lathe

[Chris Shaw]

It is a cruel disease Lathe for both the sufferer and their nearest and dearest. My aunt has no children, so I am her next of kin. I appreciate your thoughts.

Chris

[knighngale]

oh, you are familiar LOL in the poem, great read! :D

[Chris Shaw]

Thanks for stopping by. This disease is so cruel.

Chris

[knighngale]

yep yes dear :D

[keith]

the dimming shine within the eyes usurps what conscious ties remain
the sharpened tongue the quick false accusations the lack of luster familiar gate of step
it is not an easy measure watching the life disappear
very well expressed loss

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Keith. I appreciate your thoughts and time. All the best.

Chris

[lightsong]

Well... that's almost my Mother. and truth we must know and learn when we see it clearly it's a dead end to leave it instead of stressing us and wasting our energy to fix a thing that can't be fixed specially after doing all we can. mental abuse can be far too harmful than the physical one. because it reaches directly to the spirit.

[Chris Shaw]

If this account is almost your mother, then I feel for you deeply. Dementia is a terrible disease for family and the sufferer. It can't be fixed and it is a learning curve for close family. Learning strategies which help calm and redirect thoughts to relieve the sufferer is the way forward. We are all on a pathway to a dead end. The exit route for some is nothing short of cruel. Dear lightsong, thank you for gracing my page. You are most welcome.

Chris

[lightsong]

My mother doesn't have Dementia but I believe she has enough psychosis things. she is a narcissist with no doubt. yet she also she is from the start her true nature, of course in time it gets worse. Thank You for your kindness dear Chris, I also send You my warmth and gentleness into your hard and sad situation. Bless your beautiful heart ❤️

[Chris Shaw]

You have a beautiful soul. Thank you. X