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Open Poetry #10
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I Recall (Ponderings of an Alzheimer's patient)
| Open Poetry #10 |
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I Recall (Ponderings of an Alzheimer's patient) |
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Elizabeth Santos Member Rara Avis
since 1999-11-08
Posts 9269Pennsylvania 
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I Recall (Ponderings of an Alzheimer's patient) I thought I heard a whippoorwill Somewhere in a distant place I thought I felt you standing here But couldn’t recognize your face I thought I saw the rose you placed So lovingly upon my bed But then it somehow disappeared The fragrance sweet of petal red I’ve felt your kiss upon my lips I’ve seen your smile enchanting me I’ve heard the song of whippoorwill And touched the rose you gave to me Some say I am imagining A vision wrought of lonely strife But I am just remembering The best that’s happened in my life Because I’m old, because I’m lame Because I don’t remember well No one can understand the joy That makes my heart and spirit swell And no one can deny me this The things that happened in my youth Though buried deep within my heart Sometimes I can recall the truth Elizabeth Santos [This message has been edited by Elizabeth Santos (edited 10-15-2000).] |
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| © Copyright 2000 Elizabeth Santos - All Rights Reserved | |||
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Aimster Member Elite
since 2000-02-19
Posts 4297Charlotte, NC |
"And no one can deny me this The things that happened in my youth Though buried deep within my heart Sometimes I can recall the truth" Elizabeth-- This touches deep within...beautiful and sad at the same time. i use to work at a nursing home as a volunteer. it saddened my heart to see the patients who were almost "forgotten" and left behind by family members and such. everyday i would make a point to talk to one of them, at least to say hi. the simple gesture of their smile always warmed my heart. one day i went into one of the rooms where one of the alheimerz patients was. she thought i was her daughter...and i played along. i just listen to her tell her stories. some would think it rambling, but i knew she was recalling as you so eloquently said here "the best times of her life". thanks so much for posting this. sorry for my own ramblings but this did touch me so. take care  Amy < !signature--> "The head learns knew things, but the heart forever more practices old experiences" [This message has been edited by Aimster (edited 10-15-2000).] |
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Kethry Member Rara Avis
since 2000-07-29
Posts 9082Victoria Australia |
Elizabeth, great poem, thanks for the reminder that old people who are sometimes disregarded, have a rich tapestry of life and experience to draw wisdom from. Keth Growth demands a temporary surrender of security. Gail Sheehy |
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Seymour Tabin Member Empyrean
since 1999-07-07
Posts 31720Tamarac Fla |
Elizabeth, A warm wonderful piece of poetry. Love Sy |
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Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049California |
Liz--So tender and beautifully written! |
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Temptress
Moderator
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-06-15
Posts 7136Mobile, AL |
Wow! This was absolutely touching. I enjoyed it. Funny how I was speaking on this subject with one of the nurses today at the nursing home I work at. I'm not a professional of any kind. I just answer phones, run errands for the residents, etc..etc..etc. Ya have to have a liscence to do the more personal care. Anyways...I don't know if it should be or not, but it is fascinating to watch or listen to a patient with this disease. It leaves you wondering what time they are remembering back to..how many years..what date..what triggered the memory.. Has anyone ever seen the movie "Substance of Fire"? I recommend it. It is powerfully sad...very moving..I enjoyed it, but it made me cry. So..Sorry for rambling. I did enjoy the poem. It brought many thoughts to mind though. |
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Daniel J D Senior Member
since 2000-10-01
Posts 1471Hillcrest, Queensland, Australia |
Elizabeth, 'I am just remembering The best that's happened in my life' The perfect description of the reality of this very sad disease. You brought me a heavy heart, so powerful your message. Respond to my call and let the waves of my heart fill your life with the wonders of love (Daniel J D) |
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Elizabeth Cor Senior Member
since 2000-10-13
Posts 879Over the river and through the woods |
Liz, you captured this to an aching degree (I honestly became misty-eyed after reading this!). Tastefully done. An excellent read that hits the heart directly. My mom is an RN and works with Alzheimer's patients... this is a very close replica of many of their conversations, and I assume thier train of thought. ~ Beth [This message has been edited by Elizabeth Cor (edited 10-16-2000).] |
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Elizabeth Santos Member Rara Avis
since 1999-11-08
Posts 9269Pennsylvania |
Amy, I really appreciated your remarks about Alzheimer's and your experience with the disease. Thank you for your input and for your comments on the poem. It must be hard to see a loved one go through this, on the other hand we don't know what the patient is feeling. You can ramble any time yoy want to Thanks Kethry, You comment is so true and beautifully put. Thank you for reading Sy, I'm looking for more poetry from you. Thank you for your kind comment Martie, Thanks, dear Temptress, Thanks for your interesting comments. I didn't see the movie you refer to but I'll look for it. I have always believed that the mind does strange things and at times a person who's unconscious or has Alxheimer's may at times remember Thanks for the ramblings Daniel Thank you for your very kind comment Beth, Thanks for the input. I have never been with a patient with alzheimer's. I was only imagining in this poem. I'm glad that you felt it captures the essence of at least one stage of the disease Thank you Liz |
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Corazon Senior Member
since 2000-02-02
Posts 1209 |
that ending is stunning as is the whole poem...great thoughts |
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Kit McCallum
Administrator
Member Laureate
since 2000-04-30
Posts 14774Ontario, Canada |
I too have worked with patients with this illness Liz. You've touched on such tender and sweet images here. It really is such a terribly difficult time in the lives of both themselves and their loved ones. It's so terribly sad to watch this progress. Lovely poem Liz ... Best wishes, /Kit |
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Denise
Moderator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-08-22
Posts 22648 |
This is fantastic, Elizabeth! I hope they at least have their memories when they lose contact with the present. Very well written! Denise |
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Butterflies_dont_cry Member Elite
since 2000-03-06
Posts 3733Michigan |
I had avoided this poem thinking that it would bring more pain to the already painful memory of watching my grandfather pass away with this disease...instead Elizabeth you have given me peace to add to his memory...thank you from the bottom of my heart...this was so very beautiful~ |
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