In The Maze

( the progression of dementia in loved ones )

these early summer days
find auntie in a deeper maze
of lost in the past

memories of years gone by
blue sky and childhood friends
fast forward to a wretched end

today she didn’t remember me
pieces of the jigsaw gone
scattered and eaten by brain’s decay

i had morphed into my mother
her brother’s wife and she was
so delighted to see me

how young you look she said
how do you do it tell me how
where have you been all these years

why am I staying here
can you take me back to the square
to see my mum and dad

glad the visit was cut short
her caught in the misery of dementia
and the fear of what she suffers next

so held her hand and hugged her
what else can you do other than
reassure her and say you love her

Reviews

[John Sullivan]

Chris, with my paternal Grandma it was cancer. She beat it once. Intestinal cancer. It wasted her away. I remember the last time I saw her. She had shriveled to nothing, gaunt and skeletal. She couldn't really move anymore, there just wasn't the muscle mass remaining. She looked mortified. The family stood around and said nothing. Just watched. I'm so thankful I had the presence of mind to walk up, kiss her on the cheek, and tell her I loved her. Tears welled in her eyes. That poor, brave woman. Still think about her 20 years later. Cheers, friend.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you my friend for that heart felt share. That kiss meant the world to her. She felt your love and showed it. I really appreciate your response. We never know what is in store for family members or even for ourselves. Have a great day.

Chris

[John Sullivan]

We don't, it's true. You're a kind soul, Ms. Shaw. Appreciate you

[Marie]

A very powerfully penned poignant poem, Chris. Tears in my eyes (tissues with me) as I've been through dementia twice, first with my lovely Mam and then eleven years later with my lovely Dad. So strange that Mam would know my husband, even his name, but would ask him who he is married to and tell him his children were beautiful. She didn't know me at all, but two weeks before she crossed over to Spirit, when I visited her that day, she said "Is that you, Marie"? when I said "Hello Mam" to her. It was my voice she knew, I feel her eyesight had faded at that stage. Dad didn't know me either, but one day my daughter Deirdra visited him. She was home from the UK at the time and when he saw her coming up the corridor he began waving to her and I always felt it was because she looks a lot like me, her hair was long as was mine when I was young and I have always felt he thought it was me, bless him. You captured this dreaded and awful disease superbly both through excellent word choice and through the visual detail in the poem. It must be so like a maze one cannot find their way out of, frustrating for the poor loved one who has it. A very heartrending poem, Chris. I am indebted to you for sharing it and thank you with a grateful heart... Bless you always, dear friend...

[Chris Shaw]

Dear Marie, I found your response and your own experience of this dreadful disease moving. Yes, it is a maze. No other way of describing it. Many dead ends and frustration and locked in experiences. I can’t thank you enough for your own share. Have a beautiful Wednesday.

[Marie]

Good morning, dear Chris and thank you for your very kind words, bless you.
I wish you a very happy, blessed and beautiful Wednesday to enjoy. Have a very lovely day, dear Chris...

[Chris Shaw]

Same to you Marie.

[Marie]

Thank you, Chris...

[Tatenda Chivhondo]

This is a very touching poem

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you so much for stopping by to leave me a review. I appreciate that very much. All good wishes.

[Coyote Poetry]

It is very hard to see your beloved grandmother become lost. I remember I had to re-introduce my child to my dear grandmother. I could feel the sadness and the love in the poetry. Yes dear Chris. We must ensure the people, who loved us. Know we love them. Thank you for sharing the amazing poetry and your thoughts.
Coyote

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you my dear friend. I appreciate you. It is very hard for us to witness our loved ones on this awful journey in their latter years. All we can do is make them try to understand how loved they are.

[Coyote Poetry]

Yes dear Chris. Once the caregiver to us. We must be the caregiver to them. You are welcome my dear friend.

[Ern M. Yoshimoto]

my uncle had sufferred from alzheimer's in his last few years. while i still loved spending time with him, i missed the active and intelligent man that he was. he inspired me in many ways, he was also into the arts and politically minded. the look in his eyes during the final year, he really looked like someone lost in a maze. it was a tragic ending to an extraordinary life, and i hope future medicine can find a cure.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you so much for your share Ern. It is indeed a tragedy. Your uncle is at rest, my aunt has a way to go. I appreciate your words.

[Neville]

You sure know how to write and you certainly got it right when dealing with a loved one confronted with the bloody beast .. with respect, much respect on all counts .. Neville

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Neville.

[Neville]

you are so floopin welcome our Chris 😎👍

[Chris Shaw]

🌺🌺🌺 …….

[red93]

Beautiful Work Chris, full of real empathy and understanding. Excellent ✨️✨️✨️✨️✨️

[Chris Shaw]

Many thanks Tony for stopping by to read about my poor aunt. Pleased for your support.

[Pryde Foltz]

Beautifully crafted poem, Chris. When I was in university I volunteered at our local hospital. I was a visitor in the palliative and extended care wards. I too became other people for those that were losing the long work of their realities. The mind is such a abstract thing, but I think emotions stat intact. For one woman, she had become a girl again and was unbelievably happy in her regressed state. When she saw me she would insist we have a tea party and couldn't understand why I didn't want to eat her hospital food as she would flit around the room. For another patient, she was being haunted by nightmare visions and who only would soothe when someone was in the room with her. It was difficult to be in the room with here, such was her anguish. She didn't know me and I just sat there. But it quieted her down some. I was just a young girl then and I wish I knew more about the mind to help them. But in reality, just being there, another being, was help enough. You helped her more than you know by just being there. Again, the write is very meaningful.

[Chris Shaw]

Dear Pryde, thank you so much for your interesting share. So pleased you stopped by. It’s not always easy to deal with these situations, but you are right. Just being there counts for much. It shows you care.

[Amanda Reynolds]

Hi Chris, your poem is so beautiful and powerful! I was especially touched by your last stanza because even within "The Maze" human touch and love are so important, thank you for sharing this.

[Chris Shaw]

Many thanks Amanda for your thoughtful review. Good to have a visit from you. All the best.

[Lorry]

The same happened with my Mum Chris. They could remember the not so good old days, but ask them what they had for breakfast and their face would crease in on itself like they were trying to swallow their face.
She even forgot who I was and swore I was her dead brother, acting like I was a ghost and telling me to go towards the light.
After that my ex family had to look after her and they dumped her in a home within a fortnight.
I never got to see her again, but somehow managed to take all the fault for it!
It is a far sadder end for them though, reverting to petulance disguised as confusion and confusing everyone else in the process.
She was just like a terrified child in the end, thinking everyone else was to blame.
It's a sight I never want to see again.
Almost reverting to infancy again.

[Chris Shaw]

How sad for your mum and you Lorry. Such a difficult situation to navigate. Causes me anxiety. Sometimes she is so hostile. Many thanks for stopping by. Have a good day.