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Vampires

My father-in-law is 86 years old and in end stage Alzheimer's. I started writing poems three years ago about his disease. I have put some of them on the site already. They are all based on real conversations that I've had with him. “I don’t like vampires.” Dad said as I came into his room. You can never tell where we are going when the conversation starts out like this. “Have vampires been bothering you lately?” I asked him. “Yeah. I don’t like them.” “No one does dad. Did you watch a vampire movie on TV?” I was hoping to connect some dots so I could figure out what he was getting at. “No, I don’t like vampire movies.” “How about werewolves?” “They don’t like vampire movies either.” “So only vampires have been bothering you?” I was trying to get him to open up. “They come here in the night.” “Were you sleeping when they came in?” Maybe he was dreaming. “Yeah.” “Did the vampires wake you up?” “Yeah, they wake you up when they take your blood.” “Did the vampire bite you on the neck?” “No, on my arm.” He said as he held up his arm. I could see the mark. It was from a blood draw. “Dad, are you pulling my leg?” “Yeah.” He smiled. “Good one dad.”

Copyright © | Year Posted 2011




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Date: 11/15/2011 7:14:00 PM
I thought that I would check out some of your poems. I'm a "Dog Person" too so I loved that one, but this one is so haunting to me. I have a father-in-law with Alzheimer's too.
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Date: 10/13/2011 10:48:00 AM
Stopping by to thank you for your kind comments Tony. I enjoyed reading your poetry today. Love, Carol
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Date: 10/12/2011 6:49:00 PM
I worked with these folks for a stage and they truly see things we don't. It's wonderful his condition didn't stop your communication with him. I great testimony of a love between father and son.
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Date: 10/12/2011 1:44:00 AM
well, gosh, that is marvelous how he could make a joke in final stage. My stepdad was REALLY out of it toward the end. It's sad but also funny the things we do with these poor people. He was visiting us and met our new daughter in law. He said, "what's your name?" and made a bit of small talk. Then a minute later: "what's your name?" more small talk. this went on forever. Just one of many stories. Poor poor guys. I really dread this disease. Hope to get killed in an accident if it befalls me!
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Date: 10/11/2011 10:26:00 PM
Ha,ha...loved this one also Tony.Yea,my mom has a bit of a memory prob.She tells me the same stories and asks the same questions every 2-5 minutes.But she is a sweet and loving person.But the new thing is she has some how forgot to hold the phone on her ear.For somebody thats hard of hearing this is a bit of a problem.But were you serious about the remote thing that you told me about?Oh boy! :-)
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Date: 10/11/2011 8:53:00 PM
the human touch here chokes me, tony.. beautiful! :) huggs!
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