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Open Poetry #35
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A Shadow on the Wall
| Open Poetry #35 |
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A Shadow on the Wall |
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LngJhnAg Member Elite
since 1999-07-23
Posts 3508Boot+Kitty=Poetry in motion 
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I am a shadow on the wall, Nothing more dense than that. I’ve lost my way to somewhere And I don’t know where I’m at. Each person I meet is a stranger, Though they appear to know me well. I remember myself as a child, But the rest I couldn’t tell. A young woman came to visit me, She claimed my name is Dad. I don’t recall ever meeting her, But when I smiled it made her glad. And so I pretended to know her I hugged her when she said, “Good bye.” But now that memory is fading, too, A fleeting moment on the fly. I’m lost wherever I find myself I’ve no memory to lead me home And like a shadow on the wall, I need someone else to lead me on. My life exists in the present The past and future are unclear I am a shadow on the wall I’ll soon forget that I’ve been here. A shadow on the wall, Denotes a person passing by. It has become all I am now, And all I seem to signify. I wrote this poem in a poor effort to capture the desperate nature of Alzheimer's, and how it robs a person of all he or she was, is, or will become, leaving behind only the will to live. |
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| © Copyright 2005 Michael Waterman - All Rights Reserved | |||
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Nan
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-20
Posts 21191Cape Cod Massachusetts USA |
I think you've captured the essence of being caught within one's fading memories quite beautifully, Mike. It's wonderful to see your work posted - and makes me think about searching out my own muse...  Hugs to you both...  |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
Of all of the diseases and medical conditions that can end a part of one's life, this is the one that I fear the most...not only forgetting who loves me, but who I love, as well. LJA...it is so danged good to see you home again... I'm glad you didn't forget your way. Did I mention, you nailed this one perfectly?  |
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Seymour Tabin Member Empyrean
since 1999-07-07
Posts 31720Tamarac Fla |
LngJhnAg, I know the feeling. Nice to see back. |
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Youngatheart Member
since 2003-12-30
Posts 333 |
I loved this, Mike. I am experiencing this with my mother and you beautifully put to words how she must be feeling. As always, I enjoy reading your work. You are very talented in many ways. the kid |
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latearrival Member Ascendant
since 2003-03-21
Posts 5499Florida |
LngJhnAg, Welcome back. ( LBJ Lady Bird Johnson )I so remember my chagrin at that goof! You are still one I remember so well.You put this "lost feeling" down so real. Best to you, marty. |
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Toerag Member Ascendant
since 1999-07-29
Posts 5622Ala bam a |
I seem to recall a sailor named Popeye....Barnacle Bill....Captain Hook....but a Longjohn?.....hmmm....let me ponder awhile..........Susan?.....Sheep....? Oh yea.....Homeward....that guy...yea....I know you.....and have missed you..and, you've come back strong too bud.... |
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passing shadows Member Empyrean
since 1999-08-26
Posts 45577displaced |
Mike, this touches deep well done good to see you here again |
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SmartChick Member Rara Avis
since 2001-09-23
Posts 7081On A Journey To The Unknown |
This is so sad. I worked with the alzhiemers for about a year and a half. It is a sad thing to see. I have worked with a couple in home health, which is where I am working, now. It is so sad for me to see them slowly get worse. It is also very frustrating for them sometimes, too. |
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Joyce Johnson
since 2001-03-10
Posts 9912Washington State |
Yes I have seen dear ones sink into this oblivion. Well done. Joyce |
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suthern
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723Louisiana |
This one touches more deeply than you can know... excellent work, sailor man. |
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jellybeans Member Elite
since 2000-10-13
Posts 2298 |
this is so well done, my mother in law has alzheimer's and dimentia......and yes it is as heartbreaking as this write |
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Marge Tindal
since 1999-11-06
Posts 42384Florida's Foreverly Shores |
LongJohn~ No fluff ... no guff ... just the plain truth, can't be told enough~ 'I’m lost wherever I find myself' The entire write is poignantly done~ I've seen those 'shadows' ... and you've written behind-their-eyes~  Nice to see you ... hope all is well~ My regards to Lorelei too~  *Huglets* ~*Marge*~ ~*When the heart grieves over what it has lost, |
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Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA |
Trying my best to remember who you are...hmmmm, LonhJohn, LongJohn...I knew a longJohn once but this is a great poem so you can't be him....I'll keep searching the old memory banks  |
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Pilgrimage Member Elite
since 2001-12-04
Posts 3945Texas, USA |
I didn't need your explanation-I saw the Alzheimer's clearly in this. A shadow on the wall, no substance because without our memories, what are we? This is well-written, well-imagined. And frightening. Nan (Pilgrim variety) |
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Corinne Member Ascendant
since 1999-10-28
Posts 5167state of confusion |
LngJohn, It's been a long time since I've read your words. This is a wonderful write, old friend, and brave, too, to delve into such a darkened place. Corinne |
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Canuckster Member
since 2002-01-09
Posts 285New Mexico, USA |
"I'm lost whereever I find myself" That captures it perfectly. Well done. never try to teach a pig to sing |
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LngJhnAg Member Elite
since 1999-07-23
Posts 3508Boot+Kitty=Poetry in motion |
Thank all of you for your kind words. This topic has been on my mind a long time, as Nan can testify. I didn't do it justice; the lines are too short, the hopelessness is lost on the brevity of the message. I can think of no other demise that is as tragic or as demeaning as losing oneself a day at a time until there is no self. I don't know which is worse, standing on the outside trying to break in, or being on the inside not knowing there is an out. |
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