Dementia

Picture perfect memories now shadowy gray, Words in mid-sentence fade away. Confusion reigns where once ideas flowed clearly, Independence lost as frail body, aging mind suffer dearly. Aging with grace and good health is a true blessing, But cruel is a loss of mind and dignity - so distressing. Our golden years should be a time of well-earned relaxation, But sometimes dementia slithers in and causes much frustration. Pray fervently your golden years will be sweet and trouble free. For too many they will disappear with the loss of memory. 6/18/21

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Frances Schiavina

Date: 7/20/2021 12:37:00 PM

Brilliantly said! How many of us forget to pray for ourselves.

Kim Merryman
Date: 7/21/2021 7:31:00 AM

Thank you, Frances!

Shirley Hawkins

Date: 6/25/2021 11:37:00 PM

But cruel is the loss of mind and dignity...so true and frightening to leave life this way on earth. I have just come out of hospital and witnessed several people with dementia it is absolutely heartbreaking for both sufferer and loved ones. A sad but very well written write Thank you KIm.

Kim Merryman
Date: 6/27/2021 5:53:00 PM

Thank you, Shirley!

Christuraj Alex

Date: 6/24/2021 9:41:00 PM

dementia slithers in and causes much frustration True. You have depicted the sadness in a very beautiful way with imagery and well-selected words. In fact, I am very grateful to you. It's from your Pleiades that I got interested in contests. I enjoyed writing your Triolet. Now I got an opportunity to know about the Waltz Wave. Thanking you for everything.

Kim Merryman
Date: 6/27/2021 5:53:00 PM

Thank you, Christuraj! I'm glad my contests have been helpful for you!

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 6/24/2021 5:46:00 PM

its a very very sad thing. My stepdad died of it and now his daughter has it . Well done.

Maurice Rigoler

Date: 6/24/2021 4:54:00 PM

A very nicely written poem about dementia. My mother lived 97 (s did her sister) with no signs of dementia. I hope I have her genes, I am forgetful at times but that's an aging problem, I'm told. I still have good recall with historical events and dates. I count my blessings. Thanks for the stop by. / Maurice

Kim Merryman
Date: 6/27/2021 5:51:00 PM

That's wonderful, Maurice! Thank you for your comment!

Ann Foster

Date: 6/24/2021 9:15:00 AM

Incredible sad and so very true. Imagery and empathy twisted painfully... reality. Excellent job. Ann

Kim Merryman
Date: 6/27/2021 5:50:00 PM

Thank you, Ann!

Regina Mcintosh

Date: 6/23/2021 2:23:00 AM

It's so so sad... Wonderful poem. God bless you always, Love, Gina

Kim Merryman
Date: 6/23/2021 4:23:00 PM

Thank you, Gina!

Phyllis Babcock

Date: 6/22/2021 9:05:00 PM

A terrible condition for a senior to have and especially in the golden years. I pray God will keep us in his care. love phyl

Kim Merryman
Date: 6/23/2021 4:22:00 PM

Thank you, Phyllis!

Janice Canerdy

Date: 6/21/2021 7:54:00 PM

The mere thought of developing dementia scares me--as much as the thought of cancer. Your poem is expressive, moving, and sensitive, Kim. Janice

Kim Merryman
Date: 6/23/2021 4:22:00 PM

Thank you, Janice!

Sara Kendrick

Date: 6/20/2021 7:18:00 AM

It is sad to watch. My husband's sister and her husband have been placed in a nursing home but are not allowed to share a room. Both are going down hill and I know my husband and I are not far behind. I do pray that God will help us to keep going and be able to care for ourselves and go quietly in the end. Thanks for the visit to my page. Dementia is very dominant in my husband's family. Since I am adopted, I don't know about mine. Sara

Kim Merryman
Date: 6/23/2021 4:22:00 PM

That seems cruel to keep your two relatives apart at this stage of their lives. My mother-in-law and my mom had dementia caused by years of smoking and mini strokes. Even though they both stopped smoking years before they died, it had done the damage to the vessels in their brain. Thank you for your comment, Sara!

Rico Leffanta
Date: 6/20/2021 11:07:00 AM

Is that nursing home concerned that, by separating them, they will forget how to cuddle one another? Get a DNA test, so your offspring will know what health risks they have inherited! It could ID your biological parents!

Rico Leffanta

Date: 6/19/2021 11:18:00 AM

Damn! What was I going to write?

Sara Kendrick
Date: 6/20/2021 7:19:00 AM

Rico, Ha!! Ha!!..Like the sense of humor. I think humor will carry a person a long ways. Sara

Unseeking Seeker

Date: 6/19/2021 10:17:00 AM

A sad but true decline in the sunset years for many. I have seen this at close quarters … distressing and the caretakers too are helpless

Kim Merryman
Date: 6/23/2021 4:09:00 PM

I helped care for my mother-in-law and watched her decline to where she was just an empty shell and didn't know us any more. My mom was starting to decline but fortunately passed away before she got so bad. It's heartbreaking. Thank you for your comment!

Rama Balasubramanian

Date: 6/19/2021 8:43:00 AM

It occurs to those who stop using their brains. Even at old age of you are physically and mentally active, you will not have much problems is what I feel. You brought out th problem of dementia very well. Have seen many suffer from it.

Kim Merryman
Date: 6/23/2021 4:06:00 PM

Thank you, Rama!

Joanna Daniel

Date: 6/19/2021 5:00:00 AM

You bring out the problems of old age very exactly, Kim, dementia is truly bad..

Kim Merryman
Date: 6/23/2021 4:06:00 PM

Yes it is. Thank you for your comment, Jo!

Tom Cunningham

Date: 6/19/2021 1:14:00 AM

Such a terrible condition Kim, it takes away who they are leaving a hollow shell. We just hope and pray that we dont get struck down with it. Tom

Kim Merryman
Date: 6/23/2021 4:05:00 PM

That is for sure. I helped care for and watched what it did to my mother-in-law and my mom. It's heartbreaking. Thank you for your comment, Tom!

L Milton Hankins

Date: 6/18/2021 4:15:00 PM

Ah, Kim, what a wonderful write. So much more awareness is needed. I am, personally, so grateful that I have reached my age and, as far as I can tell, do not have any cognitive issues. Knock on wood!

Kim Merryman
Date: 6/23/2021 4:03:00 PM

Thank you, Milt! You are truly blessed!

Mystic Rose Rose

Date: 6/18/2021 3:45:00 PM

Unfortunately Alzheimer is on the rise, yes we need to pray that we stay sharp as we grow old. thankyou for highlighting such an important matter, Have a blessed evening Kim :)

Kim Merryman
Date: 6/23/2021 4:02:00 PM

Thank you, Vie!