Best Alzheimer Poems
Absent to surrounding ~ blessed with God's gentle touch.
3/28/2019
Picture 2
Poetry Contest: MONOKU PICK A PICTURE WHAT CHA SEE #2'
Sponsored By: James Edward Lee Sr.
My love
I’m right here
Forever by your side
I am strong enough for two
Never will I let you down
It breaks my heart
To see your vitality
Slowly fade to nothing
But the eyes don’t lie
The twinkle is still there
Down deep inside
The love’s still there
Deep down inside
The memories we made
They’ll never fade
When I hold your hand
And see your smile
My heart melts a little more
It brings me back to yesterday
Always I’ll be right here
By your side
My love
My heart
My soul
Always I will love you
Forever and a day
Published in my 24-page photo/anthology ~CAN'T IMAGINE~ 2020
AP: 1st place 2025, 1st place 2021
The Hours of Alzheimer
12
It starts ticking away slowly
Longer needed to search what’s known.
Watching the hand jerk
Minutes passing
“Twelve is for noon, then?”
“Yes. Yes, Daddy! Just like that.
Twelve noon is lunch.”
3
Very gently, oh so sweetly,
Out of love and kindest thought
Offering words and filling fissures
Keeping pace and instant beating
“The, oh, you know, the oh how silly, the the box thing”
“Yes, the box thing, the clock, Daddy. Says it’s 3 and time for tea.”
6
Now impatience starts its tapping
Chasms stretching longer still
Wanting this moment
to stop its running
“I I please fork I I food”
“Oh, of course, dear Daddy. Dinner time.
Here, your fork. ”
9
Interval waxing
Memory waning
Lingering in the distance
This cavity expanding
“ I I I I”
“Oh it’s last course time Daddy. Some dessert, then time for bed.”
12
Midnight falling
Thoughts abandoned
Cadence silent
Dead of night
First published: Poetry Quarterly
Why can't I be free?
I never imagined this would happen to me.
Stuck inside this house,
unable to walk on my feet,
locked doors and sticky notes
everywhere for me to read.
Why can't I be free?
My mind is shutting down;
it feels like a catastrophe.
I'm getting mad at myself
because of these difficulties.
I look into familiar faces,
but I can't recognize my own family.
Why can't I be free?
Everyone is walking around
while I'm trapped inside of me.
I can see the ones I love,
but there is no memory.
Their faces are right before my eyes,
yet they're strangers staring back at me.
Why can't I be free?
Sometimes I'm acting irrationally.
Solitary confinement
feels like the place for me.
I'm locked inside a prison,
trapped within my own reality.
Why can't I be free?
This disease is taking
everything away from me.
There may be no cure,
no promise or possibility.
As my memories slowly disappear,
I'm afraid of what will remain of me.
BECAUSE ALL I EVER WANTED
WAS TO BE FREE,
BUT WHEN I LOOK INTO YOUR EYES,
THERE'S NO MEMORY
STARING BACK AT ME.
Don't you know
I want to go home
Not where I live now
But where I lived long ago
In the house, where as a child,
I had grown
Don't you see
I am no longer me?
Please look and see, there
is a small child
Here inside with me
Look closely into my eyes,
the innocence you will see
For it no longer subsides
Can you listen
To all my questions
And answer them with ease
I know I keep repeating them
But Please...be patient with me
There are things that make
me sad
You really hurt my feelings
When you scream and yell
When your words are harsh
When you look so mad
Please remember it is not my fault
That I no longer remember
normal, daily routines
Just take my hand and help me
Together, we will get it done
You and me
Can you understand
Part of me has gone
It is lost inside my mind
Hiding all my memories
Sometimes if you're lucky
You may catch a glimpse
if only for a moment
Please, just cherish it
I need you to understand
I have forgotten so much
I wish I could remember
Who you are and where you're from
.
leaflet's silent weep
tears of knowing are dropping
Her memory f
a
d
e
s
.
.
My dad lay in bed, ready to go to sleep.
I asked him "Dad, do you remember me?"
" I was your daughter. Your only child.
Just take your time Dad, think for a
while."
" Look at these pictures of you and me,
do they spark your memory?"
" These pictures that you see, is a
birthday party you threw for me."
She held him close in disbelief and asked
over again. "Do you remember
me?"
" She said look closely, do you recall?"
A puzzled look on Dad's face, said it all.
He responded. " I'm, sorry honey, I wish I
could. His sad response she understood.
His memories just disappeared. Leaving
her with heartfelt tears.
Alzheimer's disease has found it's way.
Much to a loving daughter's, great dismay.
Her Dad doesn't know her anymore. Now
she carries special memories of him and
her.
Alzheimer's Association is
a wonderful Charity to make
a donations to. Home office:
225 North Michigan Ave FL.17,
Chicago Illinois 60601
May God bless those who
contribute to this great cause,
to find a cure. You never know
if it may affect someone in
your family or friends. Please
share your own personal stories
in the comments, if you have
any. Thank you...
WHAT A CRYING SHAME
My parents were married for 45 years,
Looking forward to their 50th anniversary,
But my Dad got cancer and died,
And my Mom slowly developed Alzeimers!
She lived with us, but often did FLOUNDER,
And her mood was often DOLOROUS,
She spoke incessantly on a make believe phone call,
But to us this was BOMBAST and of little meaning!
She had not one INHIBITION, and often acted
LECHEROUS – used to take off her nightie,
Whilst speaking to her imaginary, half her age lover,
We felt sorry for her, for this was not my mother!
One never knows how to handle any
Loved one, who has Alzheimer’s and who do
Not understand reason, nor did she,
All of us a NEOPHYTE, new in this arena.
But as PROVIDENCE would have it, God
Must have felt so sorry for her,
For 45 years was a devoted wife,
Now a mistress to an imaginary young lover!
She fell and broke her ankle and became
Bed-ridden at the age of 86, but
Her mind somehow came right, we
Have asked doctors, no one knows why.
Before she died, in a manner SMOLDER, asked to destroy “Ari’s” love letters!
POETRY CONTEST - JOHN HAMILTON
EIGHT WORD FREE VERSE CHALLENGE
There is a wind on South-East Essex
Blowing today and also tomorrow
Cuddling seagulls white like Tipex
Beating the ears of the old-age sparrow
Alzheimer is like yellow leaves
Detached from their own trees
Spinning the mind in the air like bees
Forgetful of you forgetful of me
Alzheimer's body bents like the dwarf pine trees
On the East cost of the South Essex rim
Old age ward. They can no longer knee
To pick up the shells from the oceanic dim
Seagulls calling their chicks at home
Alzheimer checking for a toy that's gone
For a hand to hold not to feel alone
A memory of a youth no longer borne
An when the wind blows into the town
Alzheimer dances with the invisible match
Seeking a light and a reason to know
What is this place that confuses so much
The old sparrow flies with no wings to flap
In the celestial depth mirrored on this long tide
Recent memories no longer accessible to dad
Fleeting love for his wife to share what is left of life
This sun that bends through the contrite flower
Dementia mind living in the sparrow’s tower
To swim into remote glories of power
Now lead by the help of a nurse to have a shower
Moon mirrors itself on South Essex sea
Cuddling the Alzheimer's glimpse
Chasing the light of a silent nil
Aiming to a watch that’s in a reverse tic
Brittle glimpse looking at the juniper scene
Aiming to that flight that nobody can see
Alzheimer's life where else can he dream
Of returning at home no longer there for him?
Limerick crochetés: Once cheerful Alzheimer motorist
Once cheerful Alzheimer motorist
Drove stolen car on a real tight fist
Drank oil at petrol pump
Bought used golf balls from Trump
Got called to White House as Chief Theorist
First advice he forgot to give Chief
“Show House anagram on handkerchief!”
Got kicked upstairs to roof
To count suns water-proof
Saw shooting stars making much mischief
Forgot to keep his mouth right tight shut
Five gallons of oil came rushing out
All West Wing caught fire
Also Code Nuclear
Kim Jong Un lit cigars in a fit !
(c) T. Wignesan - Paris, 2017
An Alzheimer Old Timer
My hope subsided becoming mere glimmer
And all things that boil now only simmer
For long while have cried and cried
As my meager live became less intensified.
What was wrong with my life must discover
Maybe because I had lost another lover
Or a friend doesn't like my poems anymore
Can't figure out who I wrote them for.
Forgot about places where I had gone;
Maybe either Maine, Florida or Washington
Can't remember where my church was at
Or pew or seat where I usually sat.
To soft boil egg set six minutes on a timer
Some people say I'm old and have Alzheimer
Disease and myself can no longer please
As more days of my life will increase.
What has happened to my memory and mind?
Neither one of them again can I ever find
And the only way they will return to me
Is when I went to heaven for all eternity.
James Thomas Horn, Retired Soldier
My name, I’m sure I had a name.
I wish I could remember my name.
My name, is it well known? Is it popular?
Does it have any fame?
I woke not knowing who I am,
Not knowing where I belong.
Not knowing if this is where I live,
Not knowing where I am from.
Do I like to surf the waves?
Infinitely open with the bright blue sea?
Or do I like to create new things of
Happy and rosy and free?
I guess I’ll name myself the name
Tagged on top of this shirt.
And then I’ll leave this hospital bed,
I don’t think I’m even hurt.
This feels odd, what year is it?
Have I always forgotten the date?
And wasn’t I once bigger than this?
I thought I was overweight.
I know I’m not young, but why’s this place
Filled with all these old timers?
Too many questions, I’ll have a rest
Under the sign that says “ALZHEIMERS”.
Mirror of Alzheimer
I boarded the scheduled train
I got down in the desired station.
The rush led me down the road.
Now I was confused.
Wherere should I go?
I couldn't recollect the address of my destination.
I walked and walked and walked
Street networks looked ike a maze.
I started to analyse.
Where would I like to go?
Was it my working place?
But how could it be!
I left job long years back.
Was I going to visit my parents?
I knew the right direction.
I walked and walked and walked
Street networks looked like a maze.
Was I out to see my favorite cousin?
I knew the directions so well.
I walked and walked and walked
Street networks seemed to be a maze.
I left the idea of going any where
Better to be back to my own home
I walked and walked and walked,.
Street networks turned a maze.
I could not recollect my own address.
I was totally lost.
11/21/15
Re-edited on 03/28/22
First Place
-
'A Brian Strand 1098
Contest by Brian Strand
I know the living room shifted
when you visited—
lamp there, easy chair there,
the half-scrolled—
her scrib—
turning its face.
Why
Your soft hand in mine—
a broken latch—won’t… catch—
a backdoor
left open
for someone who never comes—
him… maybe—
Your grief leaks through me,
ghost…draft—chills
I can’t—
My pink blanket—
was it here—
was it—
your voice… somewhere—
I am the ho— home… was… I—
you grew up in.
The lintels groan.
Loose.
The basement—bins—boxes—
blue wedding al—
satin ribbon—faint of wet cedar—
faded—
bleached walls—
dark… pond—
seeping up through the floorboards
your felt-pen on the wall,
small shoes on the stairs
the widow’s candle—winnowing—
the garden gone to weeds—
fresh bread Saturday mornings—
I smell it baking
though I can’t—
I am not.
Not yet.
But something is slipping—
through me
past me
hiding
out of reach—
out of touch—
olly olly
in—
free
Come… find me.
Get me.
Please.
Before the living rooms dissolve
and forget you—
my big girl—
my—
my tears
fade with them.
warm… buttermilk—
You’re—
whose…
daughter
O Moon of My Memory
O new moon of my day-time sky
Reflection of earthshine
Craters and mountains
Vague images floating
Reminding of days gone by
O waxing moon of my memory
Graceful and slender
Teasing and flirting
Uncertain faces
Shadows are being
Pushed slowly away
O gibbous moon of my memory
Gathering sunlight
Expanding horizons
Details exposed
Features revealed
Images clearing
O full moon of my memory
Shining so brightly
Glorious detail
Craters and mountains
Laser precision
Easy recall
O gibbous moon of my memory
Sliver of ebony
Creeping across
Freezing my heart
Pulse pounding
In a cloak of obscurity
O waning moon of my memory
Darkness descending
… enveloping
Shielding my view
Concealing my life
O new moon of my day-time sky
Twinkling of star light
Alone in the void
Dimmed to my sight
O great moon of my memory
Paschal moon of my soul
Orange orb of the harvest
Blue moon of my life
O fickle moon of my memory
Return to me once more
Before I bid my final
farewell