Comments on ON DEMENTIA

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I'll take your advice, Sam. I'll make my dreams come true.

posted by hardilaziz on February 5, 2009 at 8:11 PM | link to this | reply

Wow Sam!

Captivating work!  Powerful and riveting!

posted by calia14 on February 5, 2009 at 10:32 AM | link to this | reply

Superbly done

A great perspective shown here, with a powerful reminder to finish.  Brilliant.

posted by lionreign on February 5, 2009 at 9:39 AM | link to this | reply

Thank you Shelly!!!

I hope Emma likes her bone too!! Thanks for the info!!

Love ANROHA25

posted by ANROHA25 on February 5, 2009 at 9:14 AM | link to this | reply

All I can say is wow..........

Thank you, my Mom went through years of this.......

posted by Corbin_Dallas on February 5, 2009 at 6:24 AM | link to this | reply

Really brilliant...and what a powerful reminder in the closing lines! God bless. Nita.

posted by snowview on February 5, 2009 at 6:17 AM | link to this | reply

this is excellent! well done, Sam!

posted by Ariala on February 5, 2009 at 5:57 AM | link to this | reply

Shelly my dear

you have tackled a subject so very sad and so very frightening with such understanding and excellence; sometimes there are much worse things than death; having seen such things I totally relate and this has invoked some very painful memories which I needed to work through at some time; many blessings and thanks my friend always

posted by mariaki on February 5, 2009 at 3:02 AM | link to this | reply

so very true

According to Richard we've moved to the other house for the past week.  There is no changing his mind even if he looks outside.  I wonder what he sees sometimes. 

posted by skye08 on February 5, 2009 at 2:46 AM | link to this | reply

this is one of my favorites! thank you super

posted by lestate7 on February 5, 2009 at 1:33 AM | link to this | reply

This one strikes so close to home...I get phone calls and wonder when the

phone calls will no longer sound...very well done, Shelly...

posted by _teddypoet_ on February 5, 2009 at 1:06 AM | link to this | reply

Sam 444

This is awesome. it is sad, it is visual and it is clear. God bless you. You are so gifted.

posted by Justi on February 5, 2009 at 12:59 AM | link to this | reply

Crap, I wasn't finished. This is awesome my dear friend ... I love it..xox

posted by VictoriaP on February 4, 2009 at 9:56 PM | link to this | reply

I think I liked this but I can't remember ..

lol...

posted by VictoriaP on February 4, 2009 at 9:55 PM | link to this | reply

This makes me cry.

 It's so beautiful.  For five years I worked with Veterans who were dementia and alziemers patients.  It was sad to see them in such a state, but such a joy to care for them. because of what they have gone through for our freedoms.  Soon, I plan to volunteer to go back and work with them.  I love caring for seniors they are so special.  I especially am thankful for such a wonderful poem, which reminds me of our wonderful veterans.  Thank You!

 

posted by Kolekshuns on February 4, 2009 at 8:42 PM | link to this | reply

'lo Shelly.

Thanks for your comment.

Wonderful poem. I've had several careers, one in Senior services. I think that organic brain syndromes are the most feared ailments. People would rather deal with almost any physical condition, than be diagnosed with mental deterioration.

Very good examination of the topic.

posted by scotcanada on February 4, 2009 at 8:39 PM | link to this | reply

imentia. How I distaste the word.D

Alzheimers is the name of the poem.  For it strips away today and leaves tomorrow behind in the past that will never come.  I used to work as a psychometrician and would test and assess Alzheimer patients for status or to rule the final diagnosis in my job.  I would cry everytime I had to tell someone they had Alzheimers.  It hurt so deep that I could not change their status or diagnosis.  It is a cruel disease to the family.  The person with the problem soon forgets how and why of everything and talks to people who are not there.  It is truly sad.  I wish I ould change that, but I went to another field of psychology in head trauma cases to get away from Alzhiemers.  It took the very life out of me as a psychometrician for there was no hope.  All I could do was to help the family with what was left to  be dealt with.

Very moving poem.  Very deep.  I appreciate your write.  Dimentia is cruel.

posted by michaudblaine on February 4, 2009 at 8:24 PM | link to this | reply

In this modern age, there are some great medicines to hold dementia at bay for quite some time and help one to be able to live a fairly normal life if caught early.   Sooner or later something catches up with us all.  You do great and varied work, Sam.

posted by TAPS. on February 4, 2009 at 6:48 PM | link to this | reply

Shelly

Very thought-provoking! There are, of course, different forms of dementia, but I have seen a few cases that were islands of bliss in a sea of pain...

posted by Nautikos on February 4, 2009 at 5:20 PM | link to this | reply

Just the awareness of the possibility is frightening .

posted by merkie on February 4, 2009 at 4:21 PM | link to this | reply

Dear SAmmy... This poem is wonderful...it  hits near my heart and hits deep.  Dementia comes in many forms... but all forms of it are equally devastating for those who suffer it and those who love them.  I have experienced it unfortunately both in my professional  and in my personal life and I tell you that after a while... watching their silence and seeing their fading away...one wonders if it is them who are demented... or if its we who are lost in this reality.  Great work my friend

posted by Sinome on February 4, 2009 at 4:02 PM | link to this | reply

I always had the feeling that somehow I will die demented, in an institution for dements (just as the grand-father I never knew). In a sense it is scary to think that I could become dement, but on the other hand, dying with dementia might make it easier as I will no longer be "at home". Powerful poem, as always, it rattled my "believes", my perceptions of things that might become.

posted by auslander on February 4, 2009 at 3:43 PM | link to this | reply

The worst fate that can befall someone...

...and one that I fear the most, because there is no combatting it once you've fallen to it.
Deep and disturbing and yet captivating poem, sam.

posted by metalrat on February 4, 2009 at 2:52 PM | link to this | reply

This is so timely, Sammy.  My father-in-law has Alzheimers - in a nursing home in TN where my husband's sister can visit him every day.  She checks in and every day it gets worse and worse; loosing weight, can't sleep in a bed, not eating, gave up drinking... but today was a "good day" because he ate all of his breakfast.  Amazing how our perceptions change when a loved one has dementia - when a "good day" involves getting food down their throat?  A great composition, Sammy.  Mal

posted by gapcohen on February 4, 2009 at 2:48 PM | link to this | reply

Mind blowing....we should never turn away, or look away, and always embrace illness with compassion. Makes me wonder....how would I act or react. The truth might hurt....your poetry always touches a nerve and soars beyond brilliance.

posted by yellowrose55 on February 4, 2009 at 2:48 PM | link to this | reply

There is little there with which one can disagree.Optimism in unfortunate circumstance.

posted by EX_TURPI on February 4, 2009 at 12:59 PM | link to this | reply

The husband of one of my close friends died of dementia last year. He lived the last years of his life in a nursing home, as my friend still works. However she visited him twice a day, every day and she cared for him, stimulated him and in his way he was seemed contented. From time to time it seemed as though he dimly remembered past events and people. At any rate he was always aware, if for some reason or other my friend was unable to visit him. It seems that her devoted care kept him alive longer than expected.

I really appreciated your poem Sam.

posted by elinjo on February 4, 2009 at 12:24 PM | link to this | reply

Re: absolutely true, my friend ! xxoo It's scary, really. xxoo

By the way, who are you and where am I , again...lol

posted by hazel_st_cricket on February 4, 2009 at 12:19 PM | link to this | reply

absolutely true, my friend ! xxoo It's scary, really. xxoo

posted by hazel_st_cricket on February 4, 2009 at 12:18 PM | link to this | reply

a true masterpiece of words...amazingly said...thanks

posted by Itza on February 4, 2009 at 12:10 PM | link to this | reply