Voices plunder
his thoughts
stealing his sanity.
He laughs
at what others
can’t hear.
Runs from gargoyles
that speak
from marble throats.
Breaks mirrors
that taunt
with silver lips.
He stares at his walls
searching for faces
in the paint.
Lavender shadows
beckon him
with the voice of his wife.
He reaches to touch her face
only to find his hands
holding the dining room curtains.
Reality is tiny moments
that flash with recognition’s eyes
to then be swallowed in the mist.
on dementia’s ship
taking him further from today.
©Susie Clevenger 2012
This was written for A Word With Laurie: Dementia at Real Toads
Laurie challenged us to write on dementia. It is a topic I am personally familiar with. I have referred to my mother's Alzheimer's disease numerous times. In this piece I decided to write from the voice of a man.
Comments
Does he have a minute of joy with the faces before they are wall and curtain and mist? I so hope that it is not all frustration and pain.
Lavender shadows
beckon him
with the voice of his wife
I hope this wasn't hard on you.
This is sad reality, the use of the ship is good metaphor ~ Enjoyed the write today ~
K
My father-in-law has dementia. It is difficult to see the changes with each visit.