Andrea Dietrich Poet Free verse

Notes About The Poem

This is seeing someone die from alzheimers and looking at it from the perspective of the partner who is living with their dying mate, much like what happened to my mother. However, she is still living on from my stepfather's death 20 years later. 

For Seth Pina's  Broken Heart Poetry Contest

My Love's Demise

Oh, the slow invasive horror
of my love’s demise.
I can hardly imagine how he felt
though I could see it
dwelling there more and more
in his frightened eyes

As If Black Excalibur
were plunged into his soul,
hope was trickling out of him
like blood from a broken bird
who had lost the capability to fly.
Simultaneously, despair gripped his brain
as it drained his memories away. 

Over a period of months,
nearly all recollections fled from him
until there was but a flicker of recognition
when he heard me calling his name.
Slowly and then more quickly,
his memories were surely reduced
to fleeting images of only 
his childhood ghosts.

At the end, terror reigned
 in his eyes grown wide
as he choked, 
forgetting even how to swallow
but struggling instinctively to stay alive.
I grasped his hand and felt his futile grip,
which loosened after a while.
He breathed his last breath 
when I felt his soul release.

With nothing to live for,
how violently still he fought his death.
He is free now from the sword of despair,
but sometimes late at night
and in my darkest dreams
as my heart beats wildly,
I feel the sharpness of its cold blade
pressed up against my chest.

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Valsa George March 29, 2026 at 4:43 AM In every line I can feel the horror of this cursed progressive disease. It is equally miserable for the victim and his/her partner. Even after death, the pain of remembering those dark days remain. Very touching Andrea. Andrea Dietrich March 29, 2026 at 10:52 AM Thanks so much, Valsa

Kai Michael Neumann March 12, 2026 at 1:29 AM This is very powerful and heartfelt. Kind wishes and blessings to you, Kai

Abdul Malik Mandani March 10, 2026 at 8:13 PM Well, what would one expect from you but the best., You did it again.

Upasana Banerjee March 5, 2026 at 3:47 AM This is heartbreaking yet painfully beautiful. Congrats on your placement and I hope you've been keeping well, Andrea :) Andrea Dietrich March 5, 2026 at 10:43 AM Doing about as well as I can. Thanks, Upsansa

Karen Jones March 4, 2026 at 3:25 PM Oh Andrea this pierced my heart. You’ve done well painting the picture of this experience with your poem. Congratulations on your win! Andrea Dietrich March 5, 2026 at 10:44 AM It was horrible for my mom. I wasn't around to see his awful death but it was just awful the way it was described to me

David Crandall March 4, 2026 at 2:15 PM Terrifying depiction of dementia, but from what I hear, tragically true! Well done! Andrea Dietrich March 5, 2026 at 10:45 AM Yes. I would rather be put to sleep rather than have my family have to take care of me if my mind became this bad

Howard Kerr March 3, 2026 at 5:13 AM A deeply moving and tragic work which evokes sincere sympathy from me, Andrea. An appalling disease for anyone to contend with, Howard Andrea Dietrich March 3, 2026 at 5:44 PM Thanks, Howard

Akham Nilabirdhwaja Singh March 2, 2026 at 8:19 PM It is horrible.I wish a cure for the disease were invented soon.

Sara Kendrick March 1, 2026 at 11:43 AM I am saddened to learn of your stepfather's death from Alzheimer's Disease which is really hard on all around as well as the person who is stricken with it. This one reads like a good contender to me for the contest. Way to go. Sara K Andrea Dietrich March 1, 2026 at 2:08 PM Thanks. And it is truly a horrendous disease. Also for those who are the caretakers

Mike Bayles March 1, 2026 at 7:59 AM So true to the emotions of loss, and so well described. A Fav. My dad died from Alzheimer's in 1993. Andrea Dietrich March 1, 2026 at 2:08 PM Sorry about that. And thanks for a fav

Eve Roper February 28, 2026 at 7:09 PM So, well said and written. So, heart breaking to see one you love that is perfectly normal until the disease roots into their mind and renders them to a ragdoll at the end. how are you doing Andrea Dietrich March 1, 2026 at 2:09 PM Thanks, Eve. I am fine. How about you?

Lunita Blanca February 28, 2026 at 3:52 PM How we struggle to keep the grim reaper at bay. love this verse Andrea

Yann Rolland February 28, 2026 at 3:20 PM so beautiful poetry, and so touching, enjoyed a lot have a nice sunday