(17) Do You Know Me?

I work as a Hospital Porter and see many things, this is about Dementia

I like being here
The nurses are nice
The Doctor comes to see me
I always have something to eat
They always look after me
If only I knew why I was here

Today, I don't know who you are
Why are they treating me like this?
I don't know what I have done
When did I come to this place?
I don't remember ever coming here
All I want to do is to go home

Who are these people visiting me?
This crying woman says she is my wife
I wonder when did I get married
And the man, crying into his hands
He tells me he is my son
Why can't I remember him being born?

I feel so trapped, alone, in my mind
I just want to be how I once was
Each day, a piece of memory dies
What have I done to deserve this?
I want to remember, I want to be me
I am locked inside, wanting to be let out

copyright
Chris Smith 2010

Reviews

[Judy Ponceby]

So well done, and with compassion, putting yourself in that man or woman's confused shoes. I think you have captured the confusion very eloquently here. I have seen so many patients that suffer and yet at times I think their family members suffer more watching their memories go. Thank you for sharing such a touching piece Chris.

[iamkim]

This is so touching! I remembered the movie "The Notebook," based on a novel written by Nicholas Sparks. That is one of my favorite movies, and your poem definitely rocks the concept of the movie. Good job!

My friend ... I have never tried to know what feels like inside the mind of a person affected with dementia .. but I ever come to know ...I think this is how it will be ..good work!!

[northern monkey]

Love this. Such a skilful 1st person perspective of intermittent loss of perception. Outstanding work.

[NoneOfYourBusiness akaK..]

a truly moving poetic delivered with deep empathy~ deeply touching write ~

[Rachel]

Hm, pain, struggle, heartbroken, lost. I feel all of these things when I read this poem. Your poem. I feel like I can relate to that man (assuming by the use of "wife" in your poem) somehow. I don't really know how, exactly. Perhaps by the loosing of memory? Or maybe it's the struggle to gain a part of me that I have lost back? Who knows. But surely, this man has lost more than just a memory.

[Jūdan FyreHeart]

This is well done, the horrible feelings of confusion running your life while the family has to deal with the loss of them. A horrible position to be in for both ends.

[Pebbles]

well done chris good write :)

[Jeremy Wyatt]

A very powerful write, you can feel the confusion and shockwaves through the family.
Glad you showed me this Chris, so relevant to the home where I work, and the poor residents slipping into dementia.
Also brings back my bad head injury and my own memory loss, only days, but God I was screwed up for a while. nice one Chris, good write!

[Ravyne Hawke]

I can definitely relate to this Chris. I have bad long term and short term memory. Sometimes I remember things but they are fleeting and the memory leaves me as fast as it arrived. You captured this struggle brilliantly. What a wonderful piece! Thanks for sharing it!

[Kiri Nells]

Well done. You did a great job putting yourself into those shoes. Great write!