Fragments of Memories
From the left to the right
From the right to the left
In the rhythm of a pendulum
The old man looks straight ahead
He has forgotten who and where he is
Sometimes the veil of dementia lifts
Revealing fragments of memories
From the left to the right
From the right to the left
In the rhythm of a pendulum
The broken pane of the attic window
The letter pinned to a wooden beam
The body hanging from the ceiling
Kept in motion by gusts of wind
From the left to the right
From the right to the left
In the rhythm of a pendulum
I can’t go on living like this anymore
I don’t accuse you. I forgive you
The cheating the violence and the lies
May the good God have mercy on me!
From the left to the right
From the right to the left
In the rhythm of a pendulum
A tear rolls down the old man’s cheek
He has no idea why he is weeping
Giving the nurse a blank stare
The man asked in a monotonous voice:
Where is my wife? Where did she go?
Beautifully written achingly sad.
Good work Elke
Thanks a lot for reading and commenting, Peter! Yes, it’s tragic, and the worst thing is it is based on a true story.
WOW! This is one heavy piece. Sad, heartbreaking & tragic. The mind is a terrible thing to lose. Great piece Sappho.
Yeah, losing one’s mind must be horrible! The number of people suffering from dementia is increasing, and I think the reason is not only the higher life expectancy nowadays but also depleted soils and incorrect nutrition.
As always, thanks a lot for your feedback dear Keith!
Deep dive with a hit. Powerful. 🌼
Thank you for reading and commenting, Joe! My gratitude!
The repetition is perfect, everything about this poem is perfect.
A few of my neighbors have dementia, it’s heartbreaking. One in particular was very much aware of was taking place in the beginning as her mother and all her sisters were diagnosed with dementia. Now diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, she’s completely lost, not the same person at all.
Your poem made me think of how hard it must be in the in between.
Thank you so much for sharing your personal experiences and for writing your kind comment, Adira!
It was my pleasure. Thank you for your insightful and heartfelt post.
The world must seem a terrifying & surreal place when the mind drifts in & out of presence. This one aches
Yes, Willow, this is certainly terrifying. And there are different clinical pictures of dementia. I think the worst is the one you consciously know that you are suffering from dementia but there is nothing you can do against it…
Thank you very much for your meaningful comment!
An uncomfortable read, which asserts its effectiveness as a poem
Yes, the topic is indeed disturbing but nevertheless it is important. More and more people have to or will have to deal with dementia.
Thanks a lot for reading and commenting, Seacat!
Beautifully aching. The suffering of the mind, suicide as a means of escape from that sorrow, and the ending was a good punch to the reader!
Daniel
Life itself often tells the most tragic stories. I simply had to write a poem on this heartbreaking case.
Lots of thanks for your kind comment, Daniel!
Great to meet you here again!