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Open Poetry #40
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Fading Away . . . . (Alzheimer's)
| Open Poetry #40 |
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Fading Away . . . . (Alzheimer's) |
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Earth Angel Member Empyrean
since 2002-08-27
Posts 40215Realms of Light 
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 Fading Away ~ Linda L. Dowd ~ Sifting as do sands of time. Thru' the hourglass of his mind. Memories lost forever more. As shifting sands leave fading shore. Lost in thoughts of mass confusion, Reality lost in life's illusion. An empty shell where once did dwell. A man of pride who tolled his bell. His voice once rang ~ clear and bright. A man of brawn and righteous might. Gone are the posts that marked his life. Now dreams are lost and naught is rife. To watch him slowly fade away, Yet ever further ~ every day, Does sadden me beyond belief, This spiral down . . . of fall’s last leaf. . |
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| © Copyright 2007 Linda L. Dowd - All Rights Reserved | |||
Mysteria 
since 2001-03-07
Posts 18328British Columbia, Canada |
I worked in Evergreen House for years with the aging, and those especially with this disease. What I found sad was the fact they had so few visitors. They are still in there somewhere, and even if they only have a flashback for a couple of minutes, it is something that seemed to spark them for days on end. This has to be one of the hardest things for families to handle, but these dear souls are better cared for by professionals, than trying to do it at home themselves, in my opinion. You captured this loss with accuracy and with respect. Lovely Linda. |
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LeeJ Member Patricius
since 2003-06-19
Posts 13296 |
oh Linda...dearheart you've captured this amazingly....love the projection of Emit Kelly, to me, illustrating how we never knew the man behind that face....and yes, cruel disease it is.... Hugglets little poetess of grand perception...excellent write.... Hugs |
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paullallady Member
since 2007-04-03
Posts 262Michigan |
oh my goodness!! This was so beautiful and sad. Your wording was brilliant and amazing. A poetic masterpiece. |
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Startime55 Member Elite
since 2003-04-05
Posts 2148Alberta, Canada |
You weave the beauty of this man with compassion and love...Magnificent and tender write...*Big Hugs* |
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SmartChick Member Rara Avis
since 2001-09-23
Posts 7081On A Journey To The Unknown |
Oh Linda, you must know how this touches my heart. Back in 2003 to the end of 2004, I worked strictly with people who had this disease. It is indeed a sad one. There were times they would cry, and that just broke my heart. All I could do was give them a warm, gentle hug and put my arms around them while they cried. Although, the place I work at now isn't strictly alzhiemers, there are still some there, who I take care of each day that I work. You wrote this just beautiful. |
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The Lady Member Rara Avis
since 2005-12-26
Posts 7634The Southwest |
"This spiral down . . . of fall’s last leaf." beautifully done Linda Angel seems "The Long Good bye" is no stranger to us I have worked with Alzheimer's people for 25 years and they have much to teach thank you for this... |
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ivordavies Senior Member
since 2007-01-10
Posts 739Chester, England |
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ His voice once rang ~ clear and bright. A man of brawn and righteous might. Gone are the posts that marked his life. Now dreams are lost and naught is rife. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Because of pesonal beliefs, I find this the most distressing disease that could ever be encountered. My own mother spent years in this state. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ An empty shell where once did dwell. A man of pride who tolled his bell. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ you have captured the total impotance we feel when faced with this, I understand, but don't condone, why people stop visiting friends and relatives in this state. I often wonder just where the sufferers of this disease are, and as a great believer that we are put on this earth to learn before passing on, it worries me greatly that this disease takes away the knowledge from the soul itself and leaves a lot of healing to do after death. Your poetry reminds us that we have not moved on and I feel that just maybe we have got it wrong.... Poetry that stirs emotions, eventually can change the world, poet... Ivor |
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aziza Member Elite
since 2006-07-09
Posts 2995Lumpy Oatmeal makes me Crazy! |
EA What can I say that has not been said? I think this poem is moving and important. I have this little theory about people with Alzheimer's -- I think it brings out the personality traits that are the strongest in them. I am sure I am way off base, but have you ever noticed that some are happy, chidish, fun-loving -- and others are mean and hateful and cantankerous. It just makes me wonder and I think that I want to make the happy traits stronger than any other traits .. just in case, you know. Thank you for this poem. A |
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Honeybunch Member Rara Avis
since 2001-12-29
Posts 7115South Africa |
Thank you Linda for highlighting the plight of many so lovingly and compassionately. All we can really give to those in that state is love and you have added to your own through your poem. You aren't an Earth Angel for nothing, you know. Love Helen |
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Marge Tindal
since 1999-11-06
Posts 42384Florida's Foreverly Shores |
EarthyOne~ This one touches me ... tenderly, reminding me of the devastating loss of a friend just 18 months ago to the dread of this affliction ... *sigh* *Huglets*  ~*Marge*~ ~*The sound of a kiss is not as strong as that of a cannon, but it's echo endures much longer*~ |
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OwlSA Member Rara Avis
since 2005-11-07
Posts 9347Durban, South Africa |
What a beautiful Earth Angel tribute to not only the man in your poem but all those wonderful people so debilitated by such a cruel disease! Thank you for your compassionate gift of dignity to them all, something that I think they would value as much as the love you give him (them). I knew that there were some Pipsters who worked with such people, but I didn't know that there were so many. My heart, admiration, love and thanks (on behalf of those who are no longer able to thank you) goes out to all of you. It is beyond my imagination as to how hard it must be. - Owl |
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Earth Angel Member Empyrean
since 2002-08-27
Posts 40215Realms of Light |
I am popping in to thank each and every one of you for the heart-warming replies. Sending my love to you for your work, your compassion and your beautiful pip spirits!  I will be back to respond to each of you. God bless you all, my friends! With love, EA |
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Paul Wilson
since 2002-07-07
Posts 4711United States |
Linda...Very heart touching write. Enjoyed very much. I wrote one about two years ago on the same subject and thought you might like to read it...Paul /pip/Forum55/HTML/000378.html ~~To share my poems with you is to share my heart with you~~ |
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Margherita Member Seraphic
since 2003-02-08
Posts 22236Eternity |
You caught the profound sadness and despair of this most disconcerting disease with great sensitivity and compassion, dear Linda. I have witnessed this dramatic decay in two friends and it is like losing someone while they are still with us. It’s so very tough also for the relatives. I hope that science will be able to find a remedy soon. I am also impressed by how many of our friends here are helping these unfortunate people along their dramatic journey. God bless you all and God bless you, dear Linda, for this touching tribute. Love and hope. Margherita |
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suthern
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723Louisiana |
You've written with such tenderness something that's so hard on everyone involved... Bravo, my friend. |
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passing shadows Member Empyrean
since 1999-08-26
Posts 45577displaced |
Oh gosh  |
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JL Member Ascendant
since 2004-04-01
Posts 6128Texas, USA |
Love's blessings to you EA. JL  Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: |
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miscellanea Member Elite
since 2004-06-24
Posts 4060OH |
Linda, You write it so eloquently. I only understand that "I don't understand" the disease, and it's affect on others. It seems to take an adult back to childhood abilities or perceptions at times. It makes me wonder how my mother perceived me as a helpless babe. Was I helpless and a bother, or did she perceive a spirit beyond? idk For years, science fiction has spoken of a time warp. I wonder how one jumps the warp. I think aziza said it much better than I could. I'd like to think that the best of the character would stay. As always, your poetry is excellent and very much appreciated. hugs, miscellanea miscellanea |
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Earth Angel Member Empyrean
since 2002-08-27
Posts 40215Realms of Light |
Mysterious One ~ You must have touched many a heart by 'sharon' your own.  As a nurse, I have had to opportunity of caring for those afflicted with this debilitating disease. I also saw my father-in-law 'fade' away as well. A very sad ending to such a proud and articulate man. Linda |
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Earth Angel Member Empyrean
since 2002-08-27
Posts 40215Realms of Light |
Lee ~ I did not have to search very long for the perfect pic to accompany this poem. It just popped right up! Thank you for your sweet comments. Linda |
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Earth Angel Member Empyrean
since 2002-08-27
Posts 40215Realms of Light |
paullallady ~ Well you certainly know how to put a smile on a fellow poet's face! lol Thank you! Linda |
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Earth Angel Member Empyrean
since 2002-08-27
Posts 40215Realms of Light |
Startime ~ A work of love and I'm pleased that it came across in my writing. I have a tremendous amount of compassion for those afflicted with Alheimer's Disease ~ as well as for their loved ones whose lives are affected as well. Linda |
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Earth Angel Member Empyrean
since 2002-08-27
Posts 40215Realms of Light |
Smartest Chick ~ My dear sweet Sue, fortunate are they who have you as a loving care-giver. You are a warm and compassionate angel of mercy. God bless you. Linda |
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Earth Angel Member Empyrean
since 2002-08-27
Posts 40215Realms of Light |
Lady Kate ~ 25 years of earning good karma ~ and helping countless lost souls along the way. God bless you for all your loving service to others. Linda |
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Earth Angel Member Empyrean
since 2002-08-27
Posts 40215Realms of Light |
ivor ~ I appreciate your thought-full response to my poem. I'm sorry to hear that you had to watch your own mother battling this all-encompassing 'dis-ease'. My own father-in-law suffered with this as well, and it was very difficult to see him in continuous decline and then come to such an undignified end to his life. Even though he did not recognize us when we visited him, I knew that he felt our love and enjoyed our presence. We would take him by wheelchair out into the sunshine and he would rejoice at the sound of the birds and the scents of the flowers in the garden. Although those afflicted with this disease may have forgotten the knowledge that they gained over their lifetime, I do not believe that all is lost. To my way of thinking, their souls remember and the lessons they learned remain with them into the afterlife. Linda |
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Earth Angel Member Empyrean
since 2002-08-27
Posts 40215Realms of Light |
aziza ~ Yes, I have often seen that myself. If I were to ever be afflicted with this unfortunate disease, I would hope that it was 'angelic' side of me would come to the fore ~ and not the  side! Thank you for your warm reply. Linda |
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Earth Angel Member Empyrean
since 2002-08-27
Posts 40215Realms of Light |
Hi, Honey! Like your name, your reply was very sweet. Thank you, bunches! Linda |
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Earth Angel Member Empyrean
since 2002-08-27
Posts 40215Realms of Light |
MT ~ I am sorry to hear of your loss. We feel so helpless when we see those we care about slip away this way. However, I do believe by our being there for them and giving them our love and affection, we are reaching them at least on some level. Linda |
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Earth Angel Member Empyrean
since 2002-08-27
Posts 40215Realms of Light |
Owl ~ What a lovely and compassionate reply you have written. Thank you. I was so pleased to hear from our fellow pipsters who have dedicated themselves to the caring of these unfortunate individuals, and to those who have shared their own personal experiences with friends and loved ones who have had this dreaded disease. It was good to hear from you, Diana. Linda |
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Earth Angel Member Empyrean
since 2002-08-27
Posts 40215Realms of Light |
Paul ~ Thank you, Paul. I just visited your poem on this same subject. I left the following reply: "A gentle and empathetic write on the plight of those afflicted with Alzheimer's Disease. Beautifully and sensitively penned." Linda |
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Earth Angel Member Empyrean
since 2002-08-27
Posts 40215Realms of Light |
Margherita ~ I can well-imagine how difficult it must have been for you to witness the "fading away" of your two friends. I too, am impressed by all our fellow pipsters who have given of themselves to those suffering from this disease. Poets tend to be sensitive and caring people and reach out to others not only with their words, but with their hearts. Linda |
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Earth Angel Member Empyrean
since 2002-08-27
Posts 40215Realms of Light |
suthern One ~ Belle, I do so appreciate your kind reply. Thank you. Linda |
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Earth Angel Member Empyrean
since 2002-08-27
Posts 40215Realms of Light |
Ms Dix ~ Let us pray that advances in medical science will eventually eradicate AD and there will be no more need for tears. Linda |
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Earth Angel Member Empyrean
since 2002-08-27
Posts 40215Realms of Light |
JL ~ "Love's blessings" to you as well, my Texan friend! ~ and to all those suffering with this dreaded disease ~ as well as all of their loved ones. Thank you. Linda |
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Earth Angel Member Empyrean
since 2002-08-27
Posts 40215Realms of Light |
Miss C ~ Your comments give much food for thought ~ as usual! Your mind is thankfully still intact, m' friend. Thank you for dropping by and sharing your thoughts. Linda |
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