Altzheimer's, My mother Options

[Eisa]

My Mother   (second revision...new title)

Time pulled me back to when I was a girl
If I fell down her songs would comfort me
She tied pink satin ribbons in my curls
and soothed the aching bruises on my knee.

I lingered in my teens, with injured pride
to feel mature, yet treated like a child.
Alarmed, I see her lost on life’s last tide;
she drifts to yesterday where she’s beguiled

As past and present scenes are intertwined,
she stumbles over memories in pain.
Now time has tied its ribbons through her mind;
I try to calm the tempest in her brain.


She wears old boots to walk, as she’s coerced
to tread the crooked path of bygone days.
I wear her shoes as roles become reversed
and like a child I guide her through life’s maze.


A foggy haze surrounds her aging head
as she walks back to her familiar past,
to visit friends, forgetting they are dead;
reality can make her feel harassed.


Which path will she take next? I hardly dare
accept, yet watch her slowly slip downhill
thro’ mists of cruel confusion. I despair
and hope she can remember …I love her still.










Alzheimer’s   (revised)

When she was young I was her little girl
if I fell down she sang to comfort me;
she tied pink satin ribbons in my curls
and soothed the cuts and bruises on my knee.


 When in my teens she often hurt my pride
I felt grown up, yet treated like a child.
I hurt …to see her lost on time’s last tide
in life, as bygone days have her beguiled.


Now past and present scene’s are intertwined,
she stumbles over memories in pain.
For time has tied its ribbons through her mind;
I try to soothe the lesions in her brain.


She wears old boots to walk, as she’s coerced
to tread the crooked path of bygone days.
I wear her shoes as roles become reversed
and like a child I guide her through life’s maze.


A foggy haze surrounds her aging head
as she walks back to her familiar past,
to visit friends, forgetting they are dead;
reality can make her feel harassed.


Which path will she take next? I hardly dare
to think; I know she slowly slips downhill
thro’ mists of cruel confusion. I despair
and hope she can remember …I love her still.







Alzheimer’s  (original)

When she was young I was her little girl
if I fell down she sang to comfort me;
she tied pink satin ribbons in my curls
and soothed the cuts and bruises on my knee.


When in my teens she often hurt my pride,
I felt grown up, yet treated like a child.
I hurt …to see her lost on life’s last tide,
as she grows old, the past has her beguiled.


As past and present scene’s are intertwined;
she stumbles and her mem’ries cause her pain.
for time has tied its ribbons through her mind;
I try to soothe the lesions in her brain.


She wears old boots to walk, as she’s coerced
to tread the crooked path of bygone days.
I wear her shoes as roles become reversed
and like a child I guide her through life’s maze.


A foggy haze surrounds her aging head
as she walks back towards familiar past,
to see acquaintances that are now dead,
for present time can make her feel harassed.


Which path will she take next? I hardly dare
to think; I know she slowly slips downhill
thro’ mists of cruel confusion. I despair,
and hope she can remember …I love her still.

[Cybele]

Good Morning Eisa,

Well, you have really poured your heart and soul into this poem. The feelings of pain, regret and uselessness come across so strongly that they cause a literal hurt in my chest.


Alzheimer’s

When she was young I was her little girl
if I fell down she sang to comfort me;
she tied pink satin ribbons in my curls
and soothed the cuts and bruises on my knee.


When in my teens she often hurt my pride,
I felt grown up, yet treated like a child.
I hurt …to see her lost on life’s last tide,
as she grows old, the past has her beguiled.

L3 Haunting!

As past and present scene’s are intertwined;
she stumbles and her mem’ries cause her pain.
for time has tied its ribbons through her mind;
I try to soothe the lesions in her brain.

L2 Eisa.  Mem'ries seems a little contrived to fit the rhythm -to continue the theme of L1 and the confusion of past and present
perhaps

reality and memories cause her pain.

L3 Is so beautiful. Has to go in "I wish I'd said that " in the Rosetta Stone

She wears old boots to walk, as she’s coerced
to tread the crooked path of bygone days.
I wear her shoes as roles become reversed
and like a child I guide her through life’s maze.

b]Love the rhyming of coerced and reversed.

A foggy haze surrounds her aging head
as she walks back towards familiar past,
to see acquaintances that are now dead,
for present time can make her feel harassed.


Which path will she take next? I hardly dare
to think; I know she slowly slips downhill
thro’ mists of cruel confusion. I despair,
and hope she can remember …I love her still.

This poem has hit me so hard because my greatest fear in life is developing Alzheimer's Eisa.  I have quite a few friends who developed this mind-crippling disease, and in every case it seems that the carers suffered more than the patients, simply because they were able to feel all the pain.

No mother could wish for a more loving daughter than you and may God give you the strength to cope.

This poem has a terrible beauty and I think other carers could draw great comfort from your words Eisa. I'd suggest you got in touch with the Alzheimer's Society who would surely love to publish your poem to help others in your situation.


Love

Grace

[Guest_Zeus²_*]

Hi Snow,
Know how difficult this is to write about. You have captured life in its full cycle, and now, with role reversal. The toughest part is waiting for a miracle cure to happen, which we hope is soon.
Larry

[Guest__*]

Hello Snow.
The poem itself flows faultlessly. The words are simple and clear, with an unforced rhyme scheme. It brings home to the more fortunate of us the trauma presented by this dread disease. From my experience, the pain seems to be felt by the carer, as the sufferer appears to be in a euphoria of good memories from days long gone. I hope you get all the support you deserve.

Love and hugz

Tom

[Siren]

Alzheimer’s

When she was young I was her little girl
if I fell down she sang to comfort me;
she tied pink satin ribbons in my curls
and soothed the cuts and bruises on my knee.


When in my teens she often hurt my pride,
I felt grown up, yet treated like a child.
I hurt …to see her lost on life’s last tide,
as she grows old, the past has her beguiled.


As past and present scene’s are intertwined;
she stumbles and her mem’ries cause her pain.
for time has tied its ribbons through her mind;
I try to soothe the lesions in her brain.


She wears old boots to walk, as she’s coerced
to tread the crooked path of bygone days.
I wear her shoes as roles become reversed
and like a child I guide her through life’s maze.


A foggy haze surrounds her aging head
as she walks back towards familiar past,
to see acquaintances that are now dead,
for present time can make her feel harassed.


Which path will she take next? I hardly dare
to think; I know she slowly slips downhill
thro’ mists of cruel confusion. I despair,
and hope she can remember …I love her still.

Dear Snow,

We have shared so much that I know how you've been affected... and your love for Mum shines through in every line and the sadness too...

The beauty and connection and sorrow and helplessness are clear.

I miss you sweetie...

Hugs Daniah...

PS: Love to mum...

[Eisa]

Good Morning Eisa,

Well, you have really poured your heart and soul into this poem. The feelings of pain, regret and uselessness come across so strongly that they cause a literal hurt in my chest.

[b]I have been trying to write this one for ages but couldn't get it started, the suddenly it seemed to pour out. The time was right  
Alzheimer’s
When she was young I was her little girl
if I fell down she sang to comfort me;
she tied pink satin ribbons in my curls
and soothed the cuts and bruises on my knee.


When in my teens she often hurt my pride,
I felt grown up, yet treated like a child.
I hurt …to see her lost on life’s last tide,
as she grows old, the past has her beguiled.

L3 Haunting!

As past and present scene’s are intertwined;
she stumbles and her mem’ries cause her pain.
for time has tied its ribbons through her mind;
I try to soothe the lesions in her brain.

L2 Eisa.  Mem'ries seems a little contrived to fit the rhythm -to continue the theme of L1 and the confusion of past and present
perhaps

reality and memories cause her pain.

Yes, I was not too happy with mem'ries here, but I wanted to put the `stumbled' bit in to somehow compare it with st1 when I fell down and she comforted me, now she stumbles and I comfort her. I'll have to rethink that bit. I like the use of reality here..perhaps I can include it instaed of memories.

L3 Is so beautiful. Has to go in "I wish I'd said that " in the Rosetta Stone

This line was one of my first thoughts that brought this poem together for me.She wears old boots to walk, as she’s coerced
to tread the crooked path of bygone days.
I wear her shoes as roles become reversed
and like a child I guide her through life’s maze.

b]Love the rhyming of coerced and reversed.

A foggy haze surrounds her aging head
as she walks back towards familiar past,
to see acquaintances that are now dead,
for present time can make her feel harassed.


Which path will she take next? I hardly dare
to think; I know she slowly slips downhill
thro’ mists of cruel confusion. I despair,
and hope she can remember …I love her still.

This poem has hit me so hard because my greatest fear in life is developing Alzheimer's Eisa.  I have quite a few friends who developed this mind-crippling disease,

That is so sad to have more than one of your friends affected. I know how you feel ...watching the disease can cause you to fear that this may happen to you too.
and in every case it seems that the carers suffered more than the patients, simply because they were able to feel all the pain.

Oh yes I do believe I feel more pain than my mother at present
No mother could wish for a more loving daughter than you and may God give you the strength to cope.

This poem has a terrible beauty and I think other carers could draw great comfort from your words Eisa. I'd suggest you got in touch with the Alzheimer's Society who would surely love to publish your poem to help others in your situation.

What a lovely thought Cybele.   I think I may do that after Xmas. I t always gives me pleasure to share my thoughts in poetry and it might help someone to feel they're not on their own
Love

Grace [/b]

Hello Cybele/Grace

Thank you for your encouraging words  

Love

Eisa

[Eisa]

Hi Snow,
Know how difficult this is to write about. You have captured life in its full cycle, and now, with role reversal. The toughest part is waiting for a miracle cure to happen, which we hope is soon.
Larry

Hi Larry

Thank you for your kind words. My mother was put on some new medication...a memory enhancer, which had helped her a lot, but 6 weeks ago she had a fall and had to have a hip replacement. The long stay in hospital has undone all the good done by her medication, I'm afraid. She comes home in a week, so I hope she may benefit from the medication again.

Thanks
Snow

[Eisa]

Hello Snow.
The poem itself flows faultlessly. The words are simple and clear, with an unforced rhyme scheme. It brings home to the more fortunate of us the trauma presented by this dread disease. From my experience, the pain seems to be felt by the carer, as the sufferer appears to be in a euphoria of good memories from days long gone. I hope you get all the support you deserve.

Love and hugz

Tom

Hi Tom

Thanks for your understanding words. I do feel now my mother has reached that stage where she is content with her life...reminiscing the past ( which she thinks is present) and it just leaves me feeling rather wierd at times, listening in disbelief to some of the things she says. I try to comfort myself in the knowledge that she seems happy at present in her strange world.

Hugz

Snow

[Eisa]

[quote=Siren,Nov. 28 2003, 19:31][/quote]
Dear Snow,

We have shared so much that I know how you've been affected... and your love for Mum shines through in every line and the sadness too...

The beauty and connection and sorrow and helplessness are clear.

I miss you sweetie...

Hugs Daniah...

PS: Love to mum...[/quote]
Hi Daniah

It is good to hear you.

I have been meaning to message you...but not much time at the moment.

Yes you have been with me from the beginning of Mum's problems and I have been so glad of your support   I will write to you soon...Thanks for always being there for me.

Love and Hugs

Snow

[Charon]

Eisa,

I offer only one suggestion:

You wrote:

A foggy haze surrounds her aging head
as she walks back towards familiar past,
to see acquaintances that are now dead,
for present time can make her feel harassed.

My suggestion (I'm not sure if I messed up your rhyming scheme, but for me it reads easier):

A foggy haze surrounds her aging head
as she walks towards her familiar past,
to see old friends, which are now long dead,
for present time can make her feel harassed.



My lovely wife is the director of activities at a local Community Center.  My dear I can only say that your mother has created in you a wonderful daughter who can put to pen such beautiful thoughts.  May God bless and keep you and your blessed mother.

Butch

[Guest_Lecta_*]

Wow! Alzheimer’s is a terrifying disease. I can see your heart in this poem. Even though it was very sad, I really liked it a lot! I wish you luck in your journey through this. God bless you both.

Happy holidays!

~Lecta~

[Cybele]

Good Morning Eisa,

As past and present scene’s are intertwined;
she stumbles and her mem’ries cause her pain.
for time has tied its ribbons through her mind;
I try to soothe the lesions in her brain.

L2 Eisa.  Mem'ries seems a little contrived to fit the rhythm -to continue the theme of L1 and the confusion of past and present
perhaps

reality and memories cause her pain.

Yes, I was not too happy with mem'ries here, but I wanted to put the `stumbled' bit in to somehow compare it with st1 when I fell down and she comforted me, now she stumbles and I comfort her. I'll have to rethink that bit. I like the use of reality here..perhaps I can include it instaed of memories.

Yes Eisa I see what you mean. To keep 'stumbles' you might consider

she stumbles when her memories cause her pain.


This would fit with 'as' in the first line.Just a thought

Love

Grace

[Guest_Jox_*]

Eisa, Hello.

This is a very moving poem - personal but not so personal that it excludes others.

My only negative crit would be the one which Grace and you are thinking about - that "memories" abbreviation.

All my other crits are very positive. I enjoyed this as a poem, yet feel very sorry for your plight.

I hope that, within herself, your Mother is reasonably happy - or better - and that you feel able to take comfort from that.

As I pass Birmingham next week, I shall think of you again.

Best wishes, James.

[Eisa]

Eisa,

I offer only one suggestion:

You wrote:

A foggy haze surrounds her aging head
as she walks back towards familiar past,
to see acquaintances that are now dead,
for present time can make her feel harassed.

My suggestion (I'm not sure if I messed up your rhyming scheme, but for me it reads easier):

A foggy haze surrounds her aging head
as she walks towards her familiar past,
to see old friends, which are now long dead,
for present time can make her feel harassed.

Thank you for your suggestion.I will be addressing that line in my revision.

My lovely wife is the director of activities at a local Community Center.  My dear I can only say that your mother has created in you a wonderful daughter who can put to pen such beautiful thoughts.  May God bless and keep you and your blessed mother.

Thank you so much

Butch

Hi Butch


Thank you for your suggestion and your kind words. It is often kind words such as yours that gives me the courage to `keep going'.

Snow  

[Eisa]

Wow! Alzheimer’s is a terrifying disease. I can see your heart in this poem. Even though it was very sad, I really liked it a lot! I wish you luck in your journey through this. God bless you both.

Happy holidays!

~Lecta~

Hi Lecta

Yes...alzheimer's is indeed scarey I thank you for your kind thoughts...good wishes such as yours will get me through it!


Thanks

Snow

[Eisa]

Yes Eisa I see what you mean. To keep 'stumbles' you might consider

she stumbles when her memories cause her pain.

Yes...that does sound better...still giving it some thought.

This would fit with 'as' in the first line.Just a thought

I also like your earlier suggestion of the word`reality' but I may be able to bring that into another stanza.
Love

Grace

Hello again Grace

Thanks again for your suggestion. I think I've nearly finished a revision...please take a look when I have.

Love
 Snow  

[Eisa]

Eisa, Hello.

This is a very moving poem - personal but not so personal that it excludes others.

My only negative crit would be the one which Grace and you are thinking about - that "memories" abbreviation.
[b]I agree...am rewriting that line now

All my other crits are very positive. I enjoyed this as a poem, yet feel very sorry for your plight.

I hope that, within herself, your Mother is reasonably happy - or better - and that you feel able to take comfort from that.
I must say that although Mum is living in the past,she does seem much happier than this time last year. I do get some comfort from that

As I pass Birmingham next week, I shall think of you again.
I'll give a wave

Best wishes, James.[/b]

Hi Jox

Thanks for your good wishes and kind thoughts...I'll give you a wave as you pass by


Best wishes
Snow

[Ephiny]

When I first read this poem, it strongly reminded me of a close relative who died last year, and I could "see" her in so many of the lines, particularly the fifth stanza.  This is such a moving piece written with so much love and understanding, you must be such a wonderful daughter to your mother and I really hope that she is doing alright at the moment.  I thought that the suggestion that you could maybe submit this piece somewhere to help raise awareness or share experiences would be a lovely idea..though you write powerfully about the reality of Alzheimers, the strong feelings behind each line are evident and very striking.  Thanks for sharing this..

[Eisa]

When I first read this poem, it strongly reminded me of a close relative who died last year, and I could "see" her in so many of the lines, particularly the fifth stanza.  This is such a moving piece written with so much love and understanding, you must be such a wonderful daughter to your mother and I really hope that she is doing alright at the moment.  I thought that the suggestion that you could maybe submit this piece somewhere to help raise awareness or share experiences would be a lovely idea..though you write powerfully about the reality of Alzheimers, the strong feelings behind each line are evident and very striking.  Thanks for sharing this..

Hi Ephiny

Thank you for you reply and encouragement. I have decided I will contact the Alzheimer's Society after Xmas to see if they are interested using it in some way to help others. I feel part of the problem for relatives is feeling `alone' and sharing experiences can help.
I am on my second revision at the moment...want to iron out the wrinkles before I send it off...haha!!

Thanks again

Snow

[Orion]

Hello, Snow,

Just wanted you to know how much I enjoyed reading your sensitive and compassionate piece of writing regarding a very personal subject, one you've obviously grown to slowly deal with...how difficult that must be at times.
Your grand love shines through this piece, and in my opinion, will be your stronghold in this whole situation. Hugs to you and your mom...{{{you and Mom}}}

You may wish to read "Edith's Light" which has a similar theme. It's about my friend's mother who suffers from the same illness.

Take care~
and....thank you, Snow.

Janet