Dementia

She sits by herself in the dayroom
absent-mindedly taking her med,
her head is a blank, she knows nothing,
braceleted, brought to her bed.

Sedation has settled her nightmares
and delivered her safe from her fears,
but who are these strangers with clipboards,
where'd she come from, and why is she here?

She's showing no signs of aggression,
as a matter of fact she's serene,
no tantrums, no throwing or spitting,
picture-perfect, a story-book queen.

By day she's the doctors' conundrum,
every measure is tried for a clue,
but the secret is buried inside her,
closed for business, not out for review.

As night falls she's back in her bedroom,
left alone in confusion and tears,
frightened, with nothing to contemplate
but the blood, and the screams in her ears.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2006

Poem

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Smith Avatar
July 1, 2012 at 9:05 AM
Best I've read in awhile. You helped me to aever little to understand this disease by your well chosen metaphors.
Maverick Avatar
June 30, 2012 at 1:26 PM
A very strong and sad write Keith, what more can a person say..)
Ryerson Avatar
June 30, 2012 at 12:53 PM
Frightening yet beautiful...All us old folks worst nightmare. Last line absolutley floored me - Tim
Richards Avatar
June 30, 2012 at 8:33 AM
So sad, this is so real, and true to life for so many people. Well written!
Breidenthal Avatar
June 24, 2012 at 9:46 PM
This reminded me of the time I stayed 3 days and nights at the Mental Hospital. This gave me a nostalgia...wow...It was a pleasure to read your poem. You wrote this by experience and I could def. tell! Brilliant!
Bickerstaffe Avatar
March 1, 2009 at 12:16 PM
This comes from personal experience... I met many people suffering from this affliction when I was hospitalized... some of them are still my friends.
Suzadail Jr. Avatar
December 4, 2008 at 7:24 AM
Sad way to end. They are making some progress but could be a lot farther ahead in research if governments didn't protect the big corporate profits in the medical field. I've seen this in patients when I visited others in the hospital and it's heartbreaking. Vince
Gass Avatar
November 28, 2008 at 4:19 PM
I remember several patients that were in the facility when I was there that were in that state. This is a very emotional, touching piece Keith. A very good write. I changed the "only" part in the"Concentration" song. Reading it it is better that way but singing it , I'm not sure if it's right. If you have a chance would you look at it again and see what you think. Thank you again. Love Robin
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