Jan Allison Poet Free verse

Living With a Stranger - Emotive Write

You stare at me with vacant eyes
It’s like living with a stranger
Tears and tantrums we both despise
Where is the man I once loved?

Locked inside your own little world
Sometimes a piece of music makes you smile
But every day I know I’m losing you
I’m losing you bit by bit

I no longer get greeted with a loving kiss
These days you lash out uncontrollably
I get battered and bruised by your flying fist
But I’ll never give up loving you

NOT written from personal experience of living with someone with dementia

08~07~16

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Lilly Pad August 21, 2016 at 9:10 PM a very nice write and for a lot of people a reality Jan Allison July 4, 2021 at 11:34 AM thanks lily:-) hugs Jan x

Mike Martin August 14, 2016 at 5:46 PM How tragic, Jan. Well presented! Jan Allison July 4, 2021 at 11:35 AM thanks mike:-) hugs Jan x

Joanna Daniel August 11, 2016 at 4:34 AM Oh! This is another touching write..I feel sad thinking of this..Very well written though:) Jan Allison August 12, 2016 at 12:41 PM Thanks Jo:-)hugs Jan xx

Lynn Marie August 9, 2016 at 5:02 PM A most moving, emotion filled piece written with a grace and honesty that is a testament to your talent. The realism of your words are crisp, sharp conveying feelings that leap off the page. Tough write very skillfully penned. blessings, lynn Jan Allison August 9, 2016 at 5:17 PM Thanks Lynn thankfully this is a fiction write for me but sadly for some it is reality:-( hugs jan xx

Richard Lamoureux August 8, 2016 at 8:44 AM Hi Jan, this is very good. Might I make a small suggestion? Last line second stanza consider "I'm losing you bit by bit". You have captured the essence and you don't need "dementia" to get your point across. For me it takes away from the overall effect. Jan Allison August 8, 2016 at 8:58 AM Thanks Richard I will make that amendment:-) hugs Jan xx

Vladislav Raven August 8, 2016 at 7:39 AM Hi Jan, another write in which your words make it so real. That is a gift within itself. It is so well written, so real, i felt the anger welling up inside me. My anger is in the fact that this happens to people. To watch a loved one forget who you are, forget who they are is a pain i never wish to bare. An excellent write Jan. This has to be a seven and a fave for its realistc content. Have a wonderful day. Hugs....Mike. XX Jan Allison August 8, 2016 at 8:18 AM Thanks Mike for your insightful comment:-) hugs Jan xx

Tom Quigley August 8, 2016 at 6:26 AM Tough write--glad it's fiction... Jan Allison August 8, 2016 at 6:27 AM Thanks Tom I know there are many people who live with dementia or care for someone who does - its a heartbreaking illness:-( hugs Jan xx

Connie Marcum Wong August 7, 2016 at 7:34 PM Jan, deeply moving especially if you have someone in your life who suffers from this terrible loss of their memory. My best friend has forgotten me. She calls me Janet sometimes. All I can do is pray for her. To have a mate forget you would be unbearable. 7 ; ) Jan Allison August 7, 2016 at 7:47 PM Oh Connie that is so sad and it must be so frustrating for her and heartbreaking for you:-(hugs jan xx

Arthur Vaso August 7, 2016 at 6:38 PM This is so sad, you have expressed this situation so well! :) Jan Allison August 7, 2016 at 6:44 PM Thanks for your comments below - its such a heartbreaking condition my heart goes out to anyone with dementia and those who care for them it is so distressing for all:-( hugs Jan xx

Andrea Dietrich August 7, 2016 at 5:47 PM It is a sad one. I guess some of them do get very violent. It makes you wonder. ARe they reverting to their basic personality?? That is pretty sad if they are! Arthur Vaso August 7, 2016 at 6:40 PM Dementia is terrible and often the person can become violent, and this is both men and women, this illness is not who they are, I guess one could say, when your mind starts to go, its who you are not, that is showing. The kindest and most loving people can have these symptoms. :) Jan Allison August 7, 2016 at 6:03 PM I don't think they are able to control it Andrea - I saw a programme with a lady whose husband had dementia and he was quite violent towards her it was absolutely heartbreaking to see:-( hugs Jan xx

Mike Hauser August 7, 2016 at 5:11 PM Very moving piece! Jan Allison August 7, 2016 at 5:20 PM Thanks Mike:-) hugs Jan xx

Tim Smith August 7, 2016 at 2:39 PM It is such a dilapidating disease Jan. I watch my Dad suffer through it. It has to be worse for a spouse. Jan Allison August 7, 2016 at 2:51 PM I agree Tim the carer must suffer so much seeing the person they know and love change beyond all recognition:-( hugs jan xx

Winged Warrior August 7, 2016 at 12:13 PM A very emotional heartfelt write Jan...very believable... we all have a cross to bare...god bless...^WW^ Jan Allison August 7, 2016 at 2:05 PM Thanks ^WW^ there are many carers out there who continue looking after their partner long after other people would have given up - living with dementia impacts so massively on everyone in the family:-( hugs Jan xx

Anne-Lise Andresen August 7, 2016 at 8:37 AM - There are many who struggle with this grief, illness changing the man that we love and everything becomes very painful and difficult - A great writing, Jan - Best wishes and warm hugs // Anne-Lise :) Jan Allison August 7, 2016 at 2:07 PM Its such a terrible thing to live with Anne Lise - my heart goes out to anyone in this situation:-( hugs Jan xx

Alexis Y. August 7, 2016 at 8:36 AM Hi Jan, You have penned such a touching and heartfelt write about a horrific disease. It may not be your personal story but you expressed your thoughts very well on such a sensitive issue. I could sense the sadness, frustration and unconditional love with in this write. A big seven:-)Alexis Jan Allison August 7, 2016 at 2:10 PM Thanks Alexis I know that people who struggle so badly to try and continue looking after their partner, it must be so heartbreaking to live with this awful condition:-( hugs jan xx

Cheryl Hoffman August 7, 2016 at 8:25 AM Touching and heartfelt write about a debilitating disease of the mind! (My poor uncle died from this horrible disease!)Hugs-Che Jan Allison August 7, 2016 at 8:29 AM Thanks Cheryl - it is a terrible disease and it must be so difficult to live with someone who is affected - my mum lives in a care home she has memory issues but not full blown dementia but it can be so draining just being with her:-( hugs Jan xx