© Imelda Maurer, cdp October 8, 2009
Harry Moody publishes an e-newsletter on Human Values in Aging. His latest issue included poetry about aging.
The first poem is entitled “Alzheimer’s Patient.” Reading it we see some of the anguish of Alzheimer’s. We also see the call for those of us who know such individuals to companion them, to know that they are “ill and not insane.”
ALZHEIMER’S PATIENT
Oh, how can this be?
Harry Moody publishes an e-newsletter on Human Values in Aging. His latest issue included poetry about aging.
The first poem is entitled “Alzheimer’s Patient.” Reading it we see some of the anguish of Alzheimer’s. We also see the call for those of us who know such individuals to companion them, to know that they are “ill and not insane.”
ALZHEIMER’S PATIENT
Oh, how can this be?
You and I are losing me
Some day soon
May be morning
May be noon
I will no longer be the me
You and I know as me,
And the answer seems to be
Words, and thoughts, frequently scramble
And my conversations seem to ramble.
Oh, how can this be?
Oh, how can this be?
You and I are losing me.
What do I see when I look into your eyes?
And neighbors come just to pry?
Confusion, hurt, pity, and pain?
For I am ill and not insane.
Oh, how can this be?
Oh, how can this be?
You and I are losing me?
Oh, help me pray,
"Lord, please come to me and take me Home with you for all eternity.
"What can we do to keep from losing me?
"Nothing," say the experts.
Oh, how can this be?
Oh, how can this be?
You and I are losing me?
But in my confused and foggy state,
To You I plea,"Love me--Remember me--Help meTo be--
For as long as I can be
The me we know as me."
“The Journey” is a plea from the Alzheimer’s patient for ongoing recognition of his/her dignity and a plea that we identify them in terms of their strengths instead of their losses.
THE JOURNEY
My journey began as a child
I was told what to do"GO TO BED""DRINK YOUR MILK"
I was learning to maneuver my broad wings
Trying to soar over the world below
Dependent for my life
My journey continued through adult life
I as doing as I wanted to do
FLYING
FLYING
I was in control of my wings
Independent. Living my life.
Now my journey begins as an aged woman
I still feel I can do as I wish
But now you tell me what to do
"YOU NEED YOUR REST"
"DRINK YOUR FLUIDS"
My feathers are being plucked, slowly.
One by one
You limit my flight day by day.
Look upon me carefully
See me living
See my wings spread wider than ever before
Do not end my journey
It is not time
"I CAN FLY"
"I CAN FLY"
“Oak Tree" speaks so eloquently of the deep need for companionship, relationships, even among those who can no longer relate as they used to. At some deep, unarticulate-able level, this companioning tells them, with great joy, that they are not alone.
“Oak Tree" speaks so eloquently of the deep need for companionship, relationships, even among those who can no longer relate as they used to. At some deep, unarticulate-able level, this companioning tells them, with great joy, that they are not alone.
OAK TREE
I stand Alone
A strong Oak Tree
My Sturdy Limbs spread Wide
My leaves are Steadily Falling
A Child comes to Climb
Happiness
I am no longer Alone
