Desperate Dementia Times !

There's a lonely man in his cottage,
still married to his wife,
they love each other deeply,
though together they cause strife !

They love their time together,
they need their space apart,
together they know they can't live
yet so connected by the heart.

He remains in the cottage,
she remains in family home,
she makes trips four times a week
to help him and pay bills.

Memorys are fading
of things he put her through,
then everytime some anger returns
her fears return there to.

How sad the memory loss
of everyday events,
still living in the past,
hard remembering present events.

The marriage and the day,
in his heart and mind still stay,
though over many years have past,
those memories, with him last !

Tablets taken daily,
in marked container, she has placed,
to help keep independence,
to have his 'saving grace'.

Routine on board is written,
daily chores a must,
for keeping safe new memories,
for learning a new trust.

She thinks she has things sorted,
helped him remember simple things,
then makes a phone call twice a day,
just to check he's taken pills.

How fast the hopes are dashed,
when the phone runs out of ring !
the worry fast returns,
when the phone, no more will ring !

The mobiles been switched off,
'by mistake', she had been told,
then it is revealed,
he locked him self out in the cold !

She returns back to the hills,
daily chores are still not done,
the dog is barking madly
in the cottage cats have fun.

Pills have not been taken,
washing everywhere,
dishes in the kitchen sink
all that work seems so unfair.

'Tablets ? what tablets?'
the fearful face replies,
'you didn't say take tablets,
now don't you start with your lies' !

'Feed the dog, what dog' ?
'Oh, of course I know he's there,
the cats, Oh, yes the cats',
he says with a look of despair.

Well she just stood there,
tears running down her face,
just doesn't know what else to do ,
to help him keep up pace.

So, for now she just plods along,
she's trying hard to stay strong,
helps with daily chores,
to help keep him reassured.


(c) By Sue McDonald written on the 28/10/2010.......rewritten 31/07/2010 for a friend