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My Greatest Fear

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My very worst fear is of losing my mind - Dementia and Alzheimer’s are so unkind No longer able to function as I once could Unable to make myself clearly understood Not understanding the simplest news Being unable to express my own views Trapped inside my head which becomes a prison cell This would be my idea of a living hell Unable to recognise family and friends A shadow of my former self that only death ends Contest My Greatest Fear Sponsored by Lewis Raynes 06~23~16

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Seren Roberts

Date: 10/12/2016 7:26:00 PM

Oh Jan me too. Congrats on your first place placement.so well deserved....Seren

Teddy Kimathi

Date: 10/12/2016 8:44:00 AM

Losing my mind is one of my greatest fears....that why I love listening to music and read anything funny after a long day at work. Congrats Jan, for your well, deserved first placement in the contest!!! ;-)

Jan Allison
Date: 10/12/2016 12:09:00 PM

Many thanks Teddy - I think it is something many people fear and unfortunately I am hearing of it far more frequently and not just in elderly people:-( hugs Jan xx

Mark Paul Van Der Merwe

Date: 10/11/2016 11:56:00 PM

I think this is a great fear for many people - most are too afraid to discuss - well presented Jan Mark

Jan Allison
Date: 10/12/2016 3:05:00 AM

Thanks Mark - with mum being in a care home I witness this on a daily basis - it broke my heart on Sunday when we took mum out - she asked me if she has Alzheimer' s - it is something she fears so greatly. She does have short term memory issues caused by a fall in 2009 but thankfully not dementia:-) hugs Jan xx

Meenakshi Raina

Date: 10/11/2016 11:45:00 PM

You expressed it so well Jan....congrats on your win....

Jan Allison
Date: 10/12/2016 3:03:00 AM

Thanks so much Meenakshi:-) hugs jan xx

Lewis Raynes

Date: 10/11/2016 8:02:00 PM

wow, this took me right there, to the fear, standing with, inside out with the fear, loved it. Congratulations on ur win.

Jan Allison
Date: 10/12/2016 3:02:00 AM

Wow Lewis I didn't realise I'd got a top spot !! Thank you so so much:-)hugs jan xx

Darren White

Date: 9/5/2016 10:21:00 AM

That is such a realistic fear. There was a time when I was locked up, silenced, inside of my mind. It's different, but still. I can completely relate...

Darren White
Date: 10/12/2016 10:05:00 PM

Back with congratulations for you, Jan. This poem of yours has a very special place in my heart.

Jan Allison
Date: 10/12/2016 3:01:00 AM

I think losing our faculties is something many people fear Darren - stay strong my friend you are inspirational to me:-) hugs Jan xx

Paul Schneiter

Date: 7/5/2016 3:16:00 PM

Jan, You say it with alarming, brilliant clarity: Losing one's mind would indeed be a living hell. I say much the same thing (though not with your eloquence) in "Keeping My Mind." The last verse reads: "I know it's brash to make the request/who am I to dabble with things divine?/perhaps then it's best to simply suggest/please, Lord, let me keep my mind."

Jan Allison
Date: 7/10/2016 6:20:00 PM

Its something I dread happening Paul - sadly i can see my mum deteriorating - she isn't quite as alert as she used to be but she is still remarkable for her great age:-( hugs jan xx

Joanna Daniel

Date: 6/27/2016 6:27:00 AM

These would really be fearful. Congratulations on your placement, Jan:)

Jan Allison
Date: 6/27/2016 6:56:00 AM

Thanks Jo - I dread the thought of getting dementia :-( hugs Jan xx

Karam Misra

Date: 6/27/2016 1:42:00 AM

Too many fears as we move on through life, and getting afflicted with Alzheimer's is one such fear which insiduously lurks at the back of the mind. Congrats on your wonderful win, Jan! ~karam~

Jan Allison
Date: 6/27/2016 4:04:00 AM

Thanks Karam:-) hugs Jan xx

Bl Devnath

Date: 6/26/2016 12:56:00 AM

Very sad poem expressed well. Congrats on your win my lovely smiling friend. Loved always, bl

Jan Allison
Date: 6/26/2016 6:38:00 AM

Thanks BL:-) hugs jan xx

Balveen Cheema

Date: 6/25/2016 9:50:00 PM

Superb Jan! The sufferings of today can be nightmare! Congrats & love...

Jan Allison
Date: 6/26/2016 6:38:00 AM

Thanks Balveen:-) hugs jan xx

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 6/25/2016 6:28:00 PM

wow, you chose such a good one. This contest closed too fast for me to even think of a poem for it. Well done, Jan, and congratulations.

Jan Allison
Date: 6/25/2016 6:45:00 PM

Thanks Andrea the contests do fill very quickly:-( hugs jan xx

Janis Thompson

Date: 6/25/2016 5:47:00 PM

Yes Jan, I feel the same way.....this poem expresses it very well....congratulations

Jan Allison
Date: 6/25/2016 6:44:00 PM

Thanks Janis:-) hugs Jan xx

Jean Murray

Date: 6/25/2016 3:37:00 PM

My mother feared this disease so much, she gained a degree in Humanities when she was seventy Jan. Just to prove to herself that faculty was still intact. No sign of it on you either with winners like this one. Well done.

Jan Allison
Date: 6/25/2016 6:35:00 PM

My memory isn't what it was jean but I have so much on my mind at the moment - just need to keep writing and keeping the remaining little grey cell active!:-) hugs Jan xx

Lu Loo

Date: 6/25/2016 3:17:00 PM

Jan, this is a big fear we as people face yet so many don't know it could happen to anyone of us. Congrats on your placement and thank you for being a part of my contest :)-luloo

Jan Allison
Date: 6/25/2016 6:34:00 PM

Thanks LuLoo:-) hugs jan xx

Skat A

Date: 6/24/2016 6:41:00 AM

Deep into the mind that's how I feel at times. Enjoyed. Skat

Jan Allison
Date: 6/24/2016 12:17:00 PM

Me too thanks for dropping by Skat:-) hugs jan xx

Probir Gupta

Date: 6/24/2016 5:31:00 AM

Fear of dementia in the thrill of couplets ... impossible ... keep writing these beautiful poems ... dementia is afraid of cerebral people ...

Jan Allison
Date: 6/24/2016 6:14:00 AM

Thanks Probir - losing my marbles is something I fear - need to keep the brain active and writing is great for keeping the grey cells working:-( hugs jan xx

Kelly Deschler

Date: 6/23/2016 8:44:00 PM

My aunt suffered from Alzheimer's before she passed away and it was hard to see her bright personality just disappear... I couldn't think of anything much worse to fear in this life and you've expressed that so well here, Jan. Great writing! ...Good luck in Laura's contest!

Jan Allison
Date: 6/24/2016 1:10:00 AM

Thanks Kelly - the thought of no longer being in control of my actions etc is hard to comprehend - my other fear would be if anything happened to my amazing son:-( hugs Jan xx

Gordon Mcconnell

Date: 6/23/2016 1:17:00 PM

Nicely done Jan, so full of reality and honesty on a such sensitive subject. Blessings, Gordon

Jan Allison
Date: 6/23/2016 1:33:00 PM

Thanks Gordon along with the thought of anything happening to my son this really is my worst nightmare:-( hugs jan xx

Ilene Bauer

Date: 6/23/2016 12:47:00 PM

i totally agree with you, jan! my mother died from this dreaded disease and i am terrified every time i forget something, expecting that this will be the beginning of my decline. nothing can be worse and you've expressed it perfectly in your poem...

Jan Allison
Date: 6/23/2016 1:32:00 PM

Thanks Ilene I am so sorry you witnessed this for real - mum has memory issues caused by a fall in 2009 but thankfully not dementia - she is terrified of losing her marbles - as am I for me:-( hugs Jan xx

Nette Onclaud

Date: 6/23/2016 12:09:00 PM

right on the dot.. love how you made this marvelous piece so real, jan!.. huggs and soupie

Jan Allison
Date: 6/23/2016 1:31:00 PM

Thanks Nette:-) replied:-) hugs jan xx

Daniel Turner

Date: 6/23/2016 10:26:00 AM

I think, for people with Alzheimer's, the pain is for the caretakers. I'm sure at first it's frustrating and scary, but there comes a point where the mind is blank. Even to the extent of feeling physical pain. It is sad and and tragic for all involved. I'm certain that it is the fear of many people.

Jan Allison
Date: 6/23/2016 10:49:00 AM

I agree with you entirely Daniel - the frustration is for the sufferers, and the pain is for the caretakers:-( such a sad situation:-( hugs Jan xx

Tim Smith

Date: 6/23/2016 8:45:00 AM

That is fearful Jan just try to keep.your mind sharp.

Jan Allison
Date: 6/23/2016 8:54:00 AM

I agree Tim and writing is great for that - my other worst fear would be for something to happen to my son - that doesn't bear thinking about:-( hugs Jan xx

Casarah Nance

Date: 6/23/2016 8:44:00 AM

Yup I think that you said it perfectly and I too fear that. such diseases that leave us unable to be us, if only we could stay young forever. hugs

Jan Allison
Date: 6/23/2016 8:53:00 AM

If only Cas but time is not on our side:-( hugs Jan xx

Demetrios Trifiatis

Date: 6/23/2016 7:33:00 AM

Horrific situation to be in! God forbid any of us ill to become and lose his mind, lose himself. Better soon to die! A very touching and beautifully written poem! Good luck and a seven dear, Jan!

Jan Allison
Date: 6/23/2016 8:42:00 AM

I hate the thought of losing my faculties - have witnessed the devastation dementia causes - it is absolutely heartbreaking:-( hugs Jan xx