Tuesday, March 29, 2011

REPEATED THOUGHTS















Wake up. It's late.
For medications that don't work,
for lifeless motions,
artificial life,
to eat,
shower, be groomed,
then sit aimlessly,
in paralyzed vacuum
of your mind.
Alone, jumbled
in senseless apparitions,
delusional phantoms,
imagination stirring,
creating visions
of confusion,
visiting distant world evolved
from mangoe and plantain,
half-moon of avocado,
bright sun of orange yam.
I call to you
from within those depths
to be
with me a while.
But your speach repeats
like verses
from old prayers,
memorized repertoire,
immortalized,

"Look at the sun,"
"Look at the sun,"
"Look at the sun," you say

as it surprises you
each time I yearn
for patience to accept
the splendor of your being,
the value of your Now.
Makes me wonder if
it is you
or I
who is awake.


********

Submitted to One Shot Poetry where poets, writers and artists meet.


***********


My mother, who has Alzheimer's, slept late this morning and I had time to ponder her condition, which causes me so much stress. Her mind is always distant, she says things outside my reality, repeats things endlessly and in this world, she is completely helpless.

17 comments:

  1. pillow fight!!



    Aloha to you
    from Honolulu!


    Comfort Spiral

    ><}}(°>


    ><}}(°>

    ReplyDelete
  2. This was very nicely written. It takes a lot of courage and patience to do what you do.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Quite moving, Myrna. I agree with Andy when she says that one has to have immense courage and patience. I am glad that you are there for her. Blessings to both of you, dear Myrna.

    Joy always,
    Susan

    ReplyDelete
  4. Wow. What a challenge to go through each day - a continual loss in so many ways. Much love to you.

    ReplyDelete
  5. What a beautiful piece...
    Alzheimer is such a elusive disease, as it causes most pain to the ones around.
    I recall when my grandmother suffered from it and the things she did and said - a times they brought amusement to our face, at times distress and pain.
    It think the most tragic is to see someone one has known one's whole life and loved and looked up to, become someone completely different, a stranger almost, while we watch them deteriorating in front of our eyes, unable to help.
    I feel a great amount of sympathy with you dear friend and am truly sorry for your pain and the distress you must feel at all times. And I admire you greatly as well.
    xoxo

    ReplyDelete
  6. It is hard to see a dear one go through this. A moving poem and am truly sorry for the pain you are going through

    ReplyDelete
  7. this has a bit of a surreal texture to it myrna...the fruits...but in the face od dementia makes perfect sense...honestly it scares the stuffing out of me...

    ReplyDelete
  8. oh Myrna, that was so powerful and exactly in tune with where I am... I'm working on a blog post about my elderly friends at my fathers nursing home. I'd like to include your poem - with your permission. link your blog and credit you - of course! I love the way you work your thoughts into words!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Oh my Myrna this is beautifully sad...the emotion here is so real and heartfelt between love and a helplessness...blessings to you and your Mother a profound piece of writing and insight...thank you so...bkm

    ReplyDelete
  10. i thinks alzheimer is so horribly sad because the person we know gets lost somewhere - even if still around
    your words
    I call to you
    from within those depths
    to be
    with me a while..
    capture this so well..felt like a punch into my stomach

    ReplyDelete
  11. Heartfelt!
    Loads of wishes n prayers

    Hugs xx

    ReplyDelete
  12. I REALLY like this poem.

    'Alone, jumbled
    in senseless apparitions,
    delusional phantoms,
    imagination stirring,
    creating visions
    of confusion,
    visiting distant world evolved
    from mango and plantain,
    half-moon of avocado,
    bright sun of orange yam.'

    I had to repeat this because the imagery is so good.

    ReplyDelete
  13. That warms the heart even as it leaves an ache.

    ReplyDelete
  14. This is so touching it brought tears to my eyes. I knew exactly what and who you were writing about from almost the first line of this beautiful poem. God bless her and you.

    ReplyDelete
  15. My heart goes out to you both, these are difficult times that you are dealing with. Most likely her words tie to a past you did not experience. Prayers for you both.

    ReplyDelete
  16. This is beautifully written. Bless you both.

    ReplyDelete
  17. That is so powerful. Thank you for sharing yourself through poems. People with loved ones in adult day care centers would appreciate this. I would know.

    ReplyDelete