The Man In the Mirror

My father-in-law went through this phase with his Alzheimer's.


We’ve recently noticed that grandpa has made himself a friend,
We’re pretty sure that this one will stay with him until the end.

The new guy has his room right next door to my grandpa’s place,
And every time my gramps stands at the window he can see his face.

It seems that the two of them are as compatible as can be,
And they both decorate the same as near as gramps can see.

Gramps visits with his friend to share iced tea and a smile,
Until they both run out of steam and decide to nap for a while.

They make a pretty good team they’re just like day and night,
The new guy uses his left hand and Gramps prefers his right.

And Grandpa never looks in the window just to stand and stare,
But every time he walks past the thing the other guy is there.

Grandpa says the only thing about this guy that might turn into a curse,
Is that the guy is so good looking and he might steal away the nurse.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2011

Poem

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Croy Avatar
November 16, 2011 at 7:48 AM
This is very good! :) And thank you very much for the comment on my poem, it means alot :)
Dietrich Avatar
November 9, 2011 at 12:18 AM
oh, susan told me to check this out, but lo and behold it is one I already had seen and also loved!
Devnath  Avatar
November 8, 2011 at 5:47 AM
Read and enjoyed nicely. Thanks for your comment on my write. bl
Susan Avatar
November 7, 2011 at 9:42 AM
wonderful poem tony! so clever and funny at the end! but also sad in that he doesn't recognize himself. love it!
Buchel Avatar
November 7, 2011 at 6:49 AM
This is one of my faves of yours, and there are many. Your ability to be touching and yet find the humor in this most humbling situation..... wow...
Mister Roboto Avatar
November 6, 2011 at 10:48 PM
Great picture of a disease I believe evil men contributed to. Nice Flow Yo.
Fringe Avatar
November 4, 2011 at 11:25 PM
Wow, bravo. This write could be a masterpiece.
A   Avatar
November 4, 2011 at 9:16 PM
hello ,, Tony~ i like the ending,, smiles,,p.d.
Wesley Avatar
November 4, 2011 at 6:25 PM
We can smile at the antics because they are enjoying themselves in an impossible situation. You deal with it with sensitivity Tony.
Dietrich Avatar
November 3, 2011 at 9:58 PM
oh,my it's so funny but in that sad way like when my stepdad kept doing the same funny things over and over again with HIS alzheimers. This is REALLY good stuff. I gotta see if I ever faved you yet. If not, I will do it now!
Johnson Avatar
November 3, 2011 at 4:35 PM
Yes Tony, very interesting write, imagination tells it right, dementia is sometimes a blessing, no worries about the nurse undressing, she knows whats in ya shorts... sometimes its like the person is here but the personality is away checking something else out....Don
Devonshire Avatar
November 3, 2011 at 1:42 PM
Very intelligent observations on the effects of dementia, Tony. Yes, the ending is very witty, but I found the messsage in the poem compelling. Someday you and I might stare into the mirror and find a "lefty" staring back. Imaginary friends? Angels calling early? Or figures that offer Alzheimer's patients some comfort... Love, Carolyn
Onclaud Avatar
November 3, 2011 at 11:34 AM
tony, this poignant, truly... you sure you don't have alzheimer's ( kidding) as your last comment on my bartender piece was sooo funny!.. :) huggs!
Macfarlane Avatar
November 3, 2011 at 9:08 AM
Smiles Tony.....working in a long term nursing home....I definitely related to this well insightful write.
Kendrick Avatar
November 3, 2011 at 7:01 AM
Enjoyed reading this one..Age does some terrible things to people..It is good that this is not like a nightmare for him..Thanks for stopping by and reading my work about Janet Frame..Sara
Tams The Golden Girl Avatar
November 3, 2011 at 6:55 AM
Very Nice x
Croft Avatar
November 3, 2011 at 5:41 AM
it's sad when this happens to a person in thier life, but you cant' help to laugh sometimes so it's not always so painful.
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