Beryl Edmonds Poet Rhyme

Notes About The Poem

Mother and Dementia

When robins appear an angel is near.
* * *
A memorial dedicated to my mother who suffered from dementia for many years.
November 1920 - July 2008
Mother and Dementia 
When dementia creeps in, through the back door
Loving is needed, like never before...
An expressionless face, an empty heart
A once dazzling life that had lost it's spark
I saw your sad tears and felt every fear
Of foggy days that for you never cleared.

All disappeared, those happy golden years
Memories you held, so precious, so dear
The loveliest of smiles, gone without trace
Who was that stranger who dwelt in your place.

Tenderness was missing, none existing 
Care and affection you were resisting
It sure broke my heart, to see you like that
When we'd shared love and friendship in the past.

My one and only forever mother
There couldn't have been a better another
I still pray in hope, again and again
You didn't suffer any physical pain.

As you loved and cared, like a mother should 
I cared for you, as I promised I would 
I hope that these words to heaven get through
"Dearest Mother, I will always love you."
25th July 2021

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Deb Kelly August 16, 2021 at 2:04 PM Oh Belle, your poem tears at my heartstrings, having gone through the same with my precious Dad. what a horrible disease we all are running from, praying it never catches us. When it does to those we love, caring for, and loving them is what’s left. Thank you for your beautiful way of expressing the pain, and Love. Beryl Edmonds August 17, 2021 at 1:43 AM Having been through it yourself we both know what dementia is all about, a dreadful condition and painful to see a loved one slowly losing the who they used to be. Thank you Deb… Belle

Lindsay Laurie August 8, 2021 at 11:41 PM Hello Belle ... I really do feel for you. I've been amongst dementia patients that is such a hideous affliction that breaks your heart - thank you Belle - Lindsay Beryl Edmonds August 17, 2021 at 1:38 AM Thank you Lindsay, dementia is dreadful for the one who suffers and those caring for them too… Belle

Malabika Ray Choudhury August 8, 2021 at 8:40 AM Dear Belle, such a touching piece! "As you loved and cared, like a mother should I cared for you, as I promised I would I hope that these words to heaven get through/"Dearest Mother, I will always love you." - these lines brought tears to my eyes. You have described what dementia does - "Who was that stranger who dwelt in you"! I saw my very courageous aunt suffering from the same disease. To my faves. Love and hugs ~ Mala Beryl Edmonds August 8, 2021 at 10:04 AM Dear Mala, it’s such a sad thing to go through watching a loved one slip away from you, as you sadly did the same as me with your aunt. Thank you for your generous review. Hugs with love… Belle

Gershon Wolf August 3, 2021 at 3:52 PM Can I stop crying now, Belle. You really pulled me right into this tribute to your saintly mother. Bravo. Excellent! A FAVE. :) gw Beryl Edmonds August 3, 2021 at 5:31 PM You can, thank you Gershon, we all love our mother and it’s tough on us when they suffer, when dementia takes hold gone are their dear souls… Belle

Jan Allison August 2, 2021 at 3:09 PM Such a touching piece Belle. I am adding this to my faves. Mum has memory issues from a fall in 2009 but little by little I am losing her, its so hard at the moment as I cant visit due to covid being in another care home:-) hugs Jan xx Beryl Edmonds August 2, 2021 at 5:01 PM It must be hard for you Jan not being able to visit your mother when she needs you more than ever. I can imagine what you’re going through and hope it won’t be long before the door is open to visitors again. Thank you Jan. Hugs, Belle :-) xx

Alexis Y. July 26, 2021 at 3:36 PM Hi Belle, What a touching and moving story. Dementia not only robs the ill person of memories, but it also takes from the whole family unit. You were a good daughter to care for your mother as you did. Thanks for sharing such a write-Alexis Beryl Edmonds July 27, 2021 at 4:32 PM Hi Alexis, I did what hopefully any daughter or son would do for a parent. It’s dreadful for anyone who succumbs to dementia, as you say it takes it toll on the whole family unit. Thank you ~ Belle

Paul Callus July 26, 2021 at 9:32 AM This touching poem is one which several of us can relate to. Dementia steals not only the mind, but also relationships, personaltities, behaviour, etc. Patients need, understanding, care and support. Belle, you did all you could with love. ~ Regards // paul Beryl Edmonds July 26, 2021 at 9:48 AM Thank you Paul, it was a pleasure to care for my mother, always had and always did what I could as I’m sure anyone would. Regards ~ Belle

Rama Balasubramanian July 25, 2021 at 8:52 AM Your comment on my poem door is very profound. If you haven't, why don't you write that and enter the contest Beryl Edmonds July 25, 2021 at 9:28 AM I’ll give it some thought Rama, thank you… Belle

Kim Merryman July 25, 2021 at 8:47 AM Belle, this is so beautifully written and so sad. Both my mother and mother-in-law had dementia and I was able to help care for them. It's a hard thing to watch and experience. I miss my mom very much! Blessings, Kim M Beryl Edmonds July 25, 2021 at 9:36 AM Bless you Kim, you and I and many others have a shared experience in caring for sufferers of dementia, with my mother-in-law it started in her early eighties and she lived a few months short of being turned ninety nine. What I remember most about her was although she became unable to converse, if I sang songs from her era she would join in and sing the words. Isn’t life a mystery. Thank you… Belle

Victor Buhagiar July 25, 2021 at 6:45 AM My dear Belle, I spent nearly five years taking care of my wife who had dementia. I cared for her out of love. Dying was a relief for her but I miss her so. Beryl Edmonds July 25, 2021 at 8:03 AM I’m sure you cared for your lovely wife lovingly Victor, as I did for my mother and mother-in law too who passed away the year before my mother did. Though we miss our lost loved ones, when we’ve done our best we have no regrets. Thank you dear friend ~ Belle

Rama Balasubramanian July 25, 2021 at 4:07 AM A heart touching write Belle. It made me sad, could feel the emotions portrayed in this. Dementia should not happen to anyone. You did your duty as a daughter, proud of you. Not easy to handle dementia patients. Beryl Edmonds July 25, 2021 at 5:08 AM It’s not easy at all as anyone who has or is helping someone who’s suffering from dementia knows, all one can do is their best. Thank you Rama… Belle