Stolen Mind

by Sylvia   Jun 8, 2009


Apathy, a vacant stare, confusion in sad eyes,
plaques and tangles in the brain,
eating away the last vestiges of life.
Irritability and aggression, mood swings,
language breakdown, long-term memory loss,
bodily functions are lost, ultimately leading to death.
Incurable, degenerative, and terminal.
Final.

This diabolical disease is stealing a mind,
leaving it hollow, empty.
Memories of life, now locked away, forgotten,
recalled for brief, fleeting moments of lucidity.
It is then, brightness is seen in those tired blue eyes.
Strangers rushing to your side, questions, so many questions.
Do you know me, do you remember?
They know time is limited, soon this awful illness
will take you back to the darkness.

Feelings of embarrassment, anger, happiness,
fear, emotions on a roller coaster, then nothing.
So much lost forever, a physical body ravished,
dying a little every day, the thief taking each thought and action.
If only the screams inside my head could be heard,
will today be the day I forget to breathe,
and my heart ceases to beat?
Relief.

Copyright © 2009 Sylvia All Rights Reserved

Alzheimer's disease For more information see http://www.alz.org

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Latest Comments

  • 14 years ago

    by Mr. Darcy

    Hello Sylvia

    I like how you describe this awful disease. My gran died of it and it. It slowly stole her personality, then her ability to function. I believe that this is worse for the family/ loved ones than it is for the sufferer.

    My only suggestion is the order of the verses. The second verse seems (to me) to be an ideal introduction, then the first verse ends with the word 'final' this sounds like a natural end..but isn't And then the final verse ends with the word 'relief', which (to me) is not so final, however this could be relief that the suffering has ended? Each verse is powerful and contains lots of descriptive words that create a vivid journey of this disease, but maybe a different order would clarify the progress from start to finish?

    Take care

    Michael

  • 14 years ago

    by PHOEBIX

    I have worked with the elderly on & off over my life time and this is, indeed, an apt description of how this condition manifests. Little bits, big bits, a moment of clarity only to have it slip away again, until there is nothing near the end but a blank stare. I assume you've dealt with this directly to paint so accurate a picture.
    *hugs*

  • 14 years ago

    by Amaranthine

    This was magnificent. It's funny because I never cry :P This really helps me understand what my grandma is going through. She is very dear to me. If I have learned anything in life, one thing I understand is that its hard getting old ^_^ Ill be there one day too.

  • 14 years ago

    by Dreamofolwin

    Sylvia.. I cannot add much more to what has been said.. but just want to say I thought it was a real eye opener, to such an awful desease. So well depicted, and with depth of feeling. Im speechless.
    LOL

  • 14 years ago

    by alka mendiratta

    What a true depiction of the deadly disease.God give immense patience and a heart filled with love to all who are taking care of such patients.God bless.5/5.

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