Home » Poems » Donald J Bennett » Damn You Dementia

Damn You Dementia

I stand and wonder as I gaze upon the prone shell of my father’s former self. The shadowy remnants of a bull of a man slowly wasting away A man with a brilliant mind, a mind now faded, all but gone. He lays there with the needs of a small child needing constant care. Another victim of an insidious disease that robs you of your mind and dignity. Call it what you will, be it dementia, senility or Alzheimer’s. It is the thief that strips you of your freedom, your fortune and finally, your life. What God would cast that upon a righteous man?

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Robert Jerore

Date: 10/25/2012 9:00:00 PM

As a family we always accepted life as it was handed to us. I wrote the poem {Back Burner - Alzheimer Disease} while Mother was still with us. She enjoyed it despite knowing she was walking the path. My dad died of Cancer; my brother passed at 24; a sister with a Mastectomy; I had a Prostectomy for cancer in 2002, and I still have Cancer at 79. I am not making light of suffering. God blessed us a right to Life. Life comes 1 to a package; 1 size fits while we wear it, but we will wear it out.

Robert Jerore

Date: 10/25/2012 7:40:00 PM

My mother lived with us 4 years. At age 96, Alzheimer, then Dementia became her state of mind. Heart wrenching for us? Yes. Why does God allows this? Good people, living in an world of verbal, visual and physical trash, acquire much useless earthly baggage, while raising a family to be proud of. We are born into a world free of contamination. Would he not want anything different, when he takes us into his home. Is Dementia a way HE frees his children’s mind, to be born again without blemish?

Poet Destroyer A

Date: 9/15/2012 11:03:00 PM

Donald,, Congratulations in Debbie's " Let's Get Serious " awesome contest. ~ :-) always a pleasure in reading all winners when I get the chance. super xox's from~ PD

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 9/10/2012 9:02:00 PM

Yes, this happened to my stepdad. It's horrific and the dying is no better. But the final breath brings their peace. Damn it is RIGHT, Donald. I feel your pain and your anger. Congrats on a well deserved win.

Carol Sunshine Brown

Date: 9/10/2012 6:35:00 AM

Congratulations on your super win in this contest "Let's Get Serious" Donald. Love, Carol

Debbie Guzzi

Date: 9/9/2012 2:36:00 PM

At one point I actually thought forgeting would be a gift WAS a gift from God, then I got lost and almost couldn't find my way home..now i know the horror. Congrad's on your Serious verse winning. This is an important issue to draw attention too. Light & Love

Lee Ramage

Date: 9/8/2012 9:25:00 PM

Oh Donald, you truly have this right. Dementia is just terrible. You lose your father twice, first to Alzheimers then to death. Its so hard. Well done and so touching. Lee

Joyce Johnson

Date: 9/8/2012 6:17:00 PM

This is such a wretched disease and has pity for no one. Congratulations on your win. Love, Joyce

Debbie Guzzi

Date: 9/1/2012 7:32:00 AM

Hello there thanks so much for this serious entry. May I ask you please to list the form as Free Verse. [When ever in doubt of what form you are writting in you may use Verse and be correct. If you wish to know which type of verse ever just soup mail me and I will help you figure it out.] This is such an important subject please do add your periods [.] at the end of all your lines. Light & Love

Donald J Bennett
Date: 9/1/2012 10:26:00 AM

Thank you so much for your kind comment and for your help.

Jennifer Spase

Date: 8/11/2012 5:49:00 AM

wow, adversity has a lot to teach. Good job

Jancarl Campi

Date: 7/22/2012 4:47:00 AM

This poem is so well written. Your last line is so much to the point. My mind is also slowly dying. I thank God that I have a wife that helps me remember. Thanks for sharing your words with us. For such a loving God; I sometimes wonder why things so cruel happen. Take care, Jancarl

Donald J Bennett
Date: 7/22/2012 9:55:00 AM

Thank you for your comment and I wish for you a the very best. I lost both of my parents and my father-in-law to this abomination.