Aging, Wisdom, Companioning, Spirituality

© 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?

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?

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?

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?

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
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