Donald J Bennett Poet Free verse

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?

♡Like0

Share Poem

---

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

Poet Destroyer A September 15, 2012 at 11:03 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 September 10, 2012 at 9:02 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 September 10, 2012 at 6:35 AM Congratulations on your super win in this contest "Let's Get Serious" Donald. Love, Carol

Debbie Guzzi September 9, 2012 at 2:36 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 September 8, 2012 at 9:25 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 September 8, 2012 at 6:17 PM This is such a wretched disease and has pity for no one. Congratulations on your win. Love, Joyce

Debbie Guzzi September 1, 2012 at 7:32 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 September 1, 2012 at 10:26 AM Thank you so much for your kind comment and for your help.

Jennifer Spase August 11, 2012 at 5:49 AM wow, adversity has a lot to teach. Good job

Jancarl Campi July 22, 2012 at 4:47 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 July 22, 2012 at 9:55 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.