(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.

[chillz]

wow
firstly great piece
filled with emotions ,very touching write
chillzxxx

[Tommy]

What a hell it would be to exist and not know who you are. Lost to the past with no thoughts of the future, and the day seized by loneness. A regretful fate of age that so many suffer from; I hope they can find a cure someday...

A thoughtful Write!
RLG,
Tommy

[LA Lorena]

This was one that hit close to home or me, having watched both my inlaws suffer through Alzheimer's disease. It is so hard to watch a loved one suffer this cruel disease. Your poem speaks from the patients perspective, which is cool, as we often tend to forget that they can't understand all that is going on around them, and the whole deal has got to be terrifying to them, even when they appear to be so "out of it". Your poem reminds us that there is still a being there, not just a disease. well done.

[fargone]

an unusual piece chris, as ur writing so often is. clever and original. great write.

[Lilly Negoi]

this is so filled with emotion...death is never a pleasant thing, but the death of one's mind and memories is awful...

[Lily Mae]

This represents so many different scenarios in life.. We all suffer and have demons with in our body, mind and spirit somewhere and you've just given them a voice through this write. Another amazing poem :) x

[Helen]

Happens more than people know... and they don't always end up in a hospital :-( Fabulous write Chris. You show a very compassionate understanding of what it is like to lose ones mind... Scary!