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Grace

She has the hair and smile And your eyes oh so blue but the person I see She has ceased to be you The flickers of memory cause my mind to bend I wish you were here so I play at pretend The essence of you slowly slipped from my grasp It happened perceptibly with barely a gasp One moment I held you I could feel your embrace When I uttered your name you knew you were Grace Then in an instant recognition disappeared We knew this would happen the dreaded moment we feared So when I now visit this shell that remains I can still feel your pleasure flowing through my veins Thankfully we’ve both said all the words that matter I know you’ve already traveled to your happily ever after.

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Mama Bear

Date: 11/6/2020 3:40:00 PM

This is a beautiful memorial to his grandmother Grace who left us before her time with dementia she was a grand lady and we all miss her and have great memories of her Well done Richard Love mom

Vladislav Raven

Date: 7/27/2020 10:18:00 AM

Hi Richard, this poem has touched me deeplyas it must have touched you deeply when writing it. is so sad when Dementia touches someone we love. I have never had anyone I am close to suffer in such a way, I hope I never shall. I agree with Paul, Richard, you have treated the subject with the utmost love and respect. This is a beautiful write and a fav. Have a wonderful Saturday. Blessings....Mike.

Frances Schiavina

Date: 6/18/2020 9:11:00 AM

Beautiful poem with so many surprising lines. We said all the words and I still feel your pleasure. Reminds of: Love means never having to say you are sorry. Well done

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 6/18/2020 9:19:00 AM

Thanks Frances.

Paul Callus

Date: 5/17/2020 4:37:00 PM

You treated this subject with utmost love and respect, Richard, and the fact that you speak of a dear relative explains how these words flowed beautifully from deep inside. ~ Regards // paul

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 5/17/2020 4:46:00 PM

Thanks Paul. ;0)

Grace Daub

Date: 5/17/2020 4:28:00 PM

You lost a Grace? sad... Graces are usually pretty special Hugz

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 5/17/2020 4:47:00 PM

I agree. Hugs Rick.

Caren Krutsinger

Date: 5/16/2020 7:57:00 PM

The “dreaded moment we feared” is a moment all couples fear whether conscious or unconscious.

Mystic Rose Rose

Date: 5/12/2020 5:55:00 AM

I can still feel your pleasure flowing through my veins I came for another read, this line stuck out , being a line only a true empath could come up with, Have a great day dear Richard, stay healthy and writerous ... lol

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 5/12/2020 9:02:00 AM

Thanks my friend. Hugs Rick.

Jennifer Proxenos

Date: 5/11/2020 11:50:00 AM

A wonderful tribute to the one you love - very sad but it's creativity and heartbreaking reality makes each of us ponder - beautiful that you had said what needed to be said before she traveled to her happily ever after. Blessings dear friend. Jennifer.

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 5/11/2020 1:00:00 PM

Blessings to you too Jennifer.

Silent One

Date: 5/11/2020 7:02:00 AM

I wrote a poem on this subject called the D word... Having witnessed it in others, it is such a sad and heartbreaking disease, listened to so many stories about it. the ending is really emotive, as we really do hope they are in their happily ever after...

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 5/11/2020 8:08:00 AM

Thanks for your thoughtful comment Silent.

Eileen Manassian

Date: 5/11/2020 1:05:00 AM

Amazing how you described the transition in time. Sweet how you mentioned that the essentials never change. You'd already said what needed to be said. Great write.

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 5/11/2020 8:08:00 AM

Much appreciated Eileen, hugs Rick.

Gideon Foli

Date: 5/10/2020 9:59:00 PM

You're a great writer Richard. I enjoyed reading your Elegy Grace, I believed she's resting in Jesus's loveliest room. A very organized rhyme scheme abcb. Thanks for reading my works too. Stay safe and healthy my dear brother.

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 5/10/2020 10:31:00 PM

You are kind Gideon. Much appreciated.

Linda Milgate

Date: 5/9/2020 1:02:00 AM

such a concrete and deeply expressed loss of a loved one with dementia. I was struck by how you expressed both partners' awareness

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 5/10/2020 10:35:00 PM

Thanks Linda. Hugs Rick

Paghunda Zahid

Date: 5/7/2020 5:52:00 PM

we’ve both said all the words that matter... These lines are so beautiful... Stay safe

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 5/10/2020 10:40:00 PM

Thanks Paghunda. You stay safe too.

Mystic Rose Rose

Date: 5/7/2020 4:14:00 PM

So sorry for your loss dear Richard, I pray your mom is well though, I had the honor to meet her once, but she was such a memorable soul. Its Vienna I go by Pixie Dust these days, Sending love and prayers for your health & safety.

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 5/9/2020 8:31:00 AM

Also don’t worry, my Grandma passed away many many years ago.

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 5/9/2020 8:30:00 AM

Oh Hi Vienna, I had no idea you had changed your name. I have enjoyed your poetry none the less. Mom is great turning 80 on the 18th.

Darlene De Beaulieu

Date: 5/7/2020 3:06:00 PM

Hello Richard Lamoureux, I sense that someone in your family passed. Am i right? Or is this just a poem? If passed she will be with youin your heart. Have a nice day my friend.

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 5/9/2020 8:15:00 AM

Many years ago now. Thanks for your concern.

Geoffrey Brewer

Date: 5/7/2020 8:57:00 AM

A searing, poignant personal expression with a sublime acceptance that touches the heart. An exceptional, unforgettable poem, Richard. Grace and blessing to you.

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 5/7/2020 10:09:00 AM

Thanks Geoffrey. ;0)

David Mchattie

Date: 5/7/2020 12:43:00 AM

It is hard to know who suffers more. The person with the disease or the one who has to watch it consume a loved one. A well penned effort my friend to bring to light the sadness of such suffering. Have a great day and stay safe.

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 5/7/2020 8:00:00 AM

You as well David. Thanks for the visit.

Harry Horsman

Date: 5/6/2020 11:45:00 PM

The strangest feeling i get reading this, Richard, is the sense of love and affection, before 'the dreaded moment we feared' A lane so many of us either side of the fence go down,,,yes, you are an unique fellow, you certainly pull at my heart strings....Stay Safe...Harry

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 5/7/2020 8:01:00 AM

Thanks a Harry, you are good for my ego. You are very generous in your comments.

Timothy Hicks

Date: 5/6/2020 6:05:00 PM

Brings to mind Alzheimer's - that plague that infected so many. Never seen it person, but I've heard stories from friends and it sounds so awful ... to lose one's coherency (all that we have to guide us in this world). A sad topic, for sure, but you expressed it well ... with the rainbow at the end, in your last stanza. PS. "You knew that you were Grace." ... I like how this line can be interpreted two different ways: a double entendre.

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 5/6/2020 6:08:00 PM

You interpreted it properly. A horrible disease. Thanks for the visit Timothy.

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 5/6/2020 4:25:00 PM

oh wow, so well done on this sad theme, Richard. Wonderful!

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 5/6/2020 6:08:00 PM

Thanks Andrea, hugs Rick.

John Hamilton

Date: 5/6/2020 4:01:00 PM

So touching Rick, the sadness permeates this piece, but at the same time it's comforting to know they are at peace not suffering!

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 5/6/2020 6:16:00 PM

Thanks John. ;0)

Charlie Smith

Date: 5/6/2020 2:59:00 PM

We all might be surprised what one is thinking or not thinking in that state. My wife is a Hospice chaplain and is constantly surprised. Your continued love and show of compassion can't hurt either one of you. Well done Richard...

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 5/6/2020 6:18:00 PM

They have had good results when playing music to patients. I appreciate the thought. My grandma Grace, passed on many years ago.

Tom Cunningham

Date: 5/6/2020 9:29:00 AM

A lovely tribute to your Grandma Richard, they never really leave you, they are in your heart mind and dreams. Tom

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 5/6/2020 9:53:00 AM

So true, thanks Tom.

Maureen McGreavy The Insolent Rib

Date: 5/6/2020 9:13:00 AM

Oh, so heartbreaking. Achingly tenderly rendered Richard. A wow and a tear. xomo

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 5/6/2020 9:17:00 AM

Thanks Maureen. I was having a dream about my Grandma Grace and when I awoke, this piece wrote itself. Hugs Rick.

Jan Allison

Date: 5/6/2020 9:05:00 AM

absolutely heartbreaking to lose someone to dementia/memory issues - I am gradually losing mum its so hard not to be able to see her. A very poignant touching piece Rick:-) hugs Jan xx

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 5/6/2020 9:16:00 AM

Thanks Jan, I had both of my Grandparents on my dad’s side afflicted with that horrible disease. It causes one to have to grieve the loss twice. Hugs back to you dear Jan. So sorry you are going through this experience.