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

[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.

[duff]

The years creep up on us and tough times await. The sand pours no matter what. Beautiful writing Chris.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you duff. Good to have a visit from you. All the best.

[redd Brick Keshner]

Sadly this turn late in life is a recurring event on one side of my family. On the other side they weren’t old enough to ail this way when they passed. One aunt wanted only me to trim her nails whilst she mumbled about some past crush or lover. It’s quite a curious place to be, emotionally. Good to be reading your work again. Freds.

[Chris Shaw]

Thanks Freds for your share. It isn’t an easy path to navigate. Never knowing whether you will receive affection or hostility. Pleased you stopped by.

[Chris]

...because you do - love her.

Sometimes I wonder how much less pain I'd have if I didn't miss my "missing friends" that grows every year.

[Chris Shaw]

Indeed Chris, I do love her. She is the only connection alive now of her generation to my grandparents and parents. She is able to recall with much clarity my mum and dad as teenagers. Some visits are happy, most can be difficult. The pain of loss is a curse. I know that well. So many of my friends departed early. Thank you for your time.

[Mauricio Montoya]

Wow Chris love the beginning, lol, we don't realize we step into it but life goes on great job on bringing these memories back together again because in the end its a love that last forever.
Thank you for sharing.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Mauricio. She knows I love her and that is all important. So pleased you stopped by.
read moreThank you Mauricio. She knows I love her and that is all important. So pleased you stopped by.

Chris

[Mauricio Montoya]

Yeah I enjoyed the write because it touches all walks of life we know love , again thank you for sharing your thoughts.

[Ken Simm.]

Having had extensive experience of knowing some one who is alive but can't remember being so. This is sad and poignant. But as I discovered take the halcyon where you can and laugh with when you can. These are sovereign.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Ken so right, there can be some funny moments amid the sad. She knows she is loved. That is all that matters. Hope all is good in your world.

Chris

[Lisasview]

I sit here -early misty early morning in Spain, tears in my eyes… reading your words.
Many of us have had similar moments that haunt us.
And, as we get older and older we hope this will not happen to us.
So well written dear Chris,
Lisa

[Chris Shaw]

You are so right dear Lisa, we hope it won’t happen to us. Thank you dear friend.

Chris