Fear of Unknowing

by Larry Chamberlin   Sep 3, 2018



The dread creeps into consciousness
sparked by failure to remember
the most familiar of names and things.
Then you begin to wonder - is this it?
Do I now spiral down the drain
of witless unawareness into dementia?

Of course you are overreacting;
crowding so many heavy activities
into such a brief span to do them
uses up short-term memory
and slows down the recall system.
Nothing a good rest does not cure.

Yet all the hype on Alzheimer
gives a chill to senior moments
where you briefly feel the breath
of frozen thoughts down your back
waiting to be buried behind
helpless indignation of having
to be treated as a newborn corpse.

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  • 5 years ago

    by CRAFTY KEN

    Well written Larry, it truly stirs up fear, and rightly so. I could add some of my own, like spiders, snakes, scorpions. No wonder that the Bible often says; Fear not, with Paul the Apostle telling us to think on happy things, knowing that other thoughts can affect our mood, even our health. My prayer is for us to go in our sleep or the best scenario is for the return of our Lord Jesus Christ.

  • 5 years ago

    by Em (marmite)

    This brought a tear to my eye as my grandad and uncle both past away earlier this year after suffering many illnesses of which one was unfortunately dementia which is debilitating... This just sums it up and that last sentence was perfect in that fact that when suffering dementia you do seem to go back to 'babyish' ways with being unable to look after yourself when suffering which is hard to think about in itself.
    Take care Larry x

  • 5 years ago

    by Mr. Darcy

    Chilling to read because this could be our fate. I hope not, it's not the way to go, is it?

  • 5 years ago

    by Dagmar Wilson

    Thank you for sharing and yes indeed the fear of the unknown. Alzheimer's is becoming more common and my heart goes out to those who suffer. Getting older is one thing but dealing with this disease is so extremely sad. All the best to you

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