The fictional woman about whom this poem is written is probably suffering from Alzheimer's Disease. I say probably because there are a can cause memory loss. Some are associated with advanced age; some are not. I feel it is important to emphasize this because Alzheimer's, which was underdiagnosed until about ten years ago, now appears to be virtually taken for granted when a person aged 50 or older begins losing -- or appears to be losing -- mental capacity. Too often, Alzheimer's i s the cause. This does not make it less important to make sure. Medications, chemical imbalances, injuries, diseases affecting other parts of the body, speech and language disorders, depression, and many other factors can effect changes in short- and long-term memory. As you know Alzheimer's may be slowed, but not cured. In certain other cases, mental decline can be
reversed. Sorry for going on, but it is so heartbreaking. . .don't have to tell you. . .
========================================
On her Good Days
. . .wagons are circling. Sad shushes as children too big to be mine jigsaw end-to-end, scared to death to think they can’t prevent gaps. Poor Mother, psst. Wheels are loose, psst-pst. What’s that? Good tries to do mouth-to-mouth. Good she no longer insists on driv–. . .nods turn beet as one fans sputtering flames. Clank metal? Should I put the kettle on? Spoon walked off, of course. Shhhhhhh. Poor Mother, clank, stir, psst. . . .choice do we have? Sighs stir into a breeze let in by a child. Out there, it is summer. Dusk fell, and I am untying the hated pink ribbon anchoring my hat. Picture hat, only afford straw. Breeze grabs. Reaching out when a man with waves like satin and silly black mustache to match pulls it out of thin air with workman’s hands. Calloused, but his touch is a whisper.
Funny, I was sure I had a firm grip on the reins. Know horses. Hung around a stable nagging when I was, what, thirteen? To get on a nag, ha. How many rides and drives? Numbers stir into sighs hiss away time. Point? Only know they are dying for me to remember all the screams, tears, love moans and nibbles. Belly shaking with mirth and I was big as a house with my first. You, Love. Remember, Mom? Me? You? Us? Do, I know. Stream starts to run clear, almost, and I do my best to convey I can recall every ear- to-ear. So easy. All it took was a chocolate kiss. Jello-pop, swing. Know what? All of you had hair the sun loved. Glory spilled gold or black satin. Sight for sore.
The scowls, the wrinkles, the bottom lines, who are they? Now you are splitting. Age before beauty, ‘k? All coming to me broken. Light has to be right to place. Remember the plate I picked up for a song? Violets blued the rug Granny had braided when it crashed to. . . fist pounded? Guess I wandered off the trace. It was an accident. Happens happens. Not polite to ask
MMMMM glimpses of memories disjointed to be sure but wondering now how scared a person losing the battle with memory loss must feel! Wonderful poem! put one into the moment! Sandi
Interesting, vivid imagery here. Reading this is almost like watching a film... the mother is stirring the tea and all kinds of memories and sounds are stirred and come spiralling up out of the image of the stirring liquid; I can imagine a film director making a fine video to go with this poem.
In the first stanza she is tragically aware that her grown-up children are whispering about her. As we read towards the end, we find her more optimistic as her memories cushion her from the harsh reality of her illness.
I like this very much... I enjoyed other poems of yours too. If you would like to email me some poems for Poetry Life & Times, visit my page and click the link from there, then follow the email link at the bottom of the latest issue page....
This makes me think that we should ask our Congressmen to plan for more money for health and medical reasearch.
"On her Good Days" depicts a sad reality of our days.
I have learned from reading "On her Good Days".
Long Healthy Life, Poet!
Andre Emmanuel Bendavi ben-YEHU
Reviewed by Thomas Lanechanger (Reader)
Reviewed on August 25, 2005
Poet, unfortunately, there are way too many people who do suffer and are afflicted by this terrible disease. You have brought this stunning piece to life, including illustrating the many pitfalls normally associated with it, which inevitably causes others who cannot understand that not only is this dreaded disease incurable, but also, irreversible. It saddens me deeply that with all the modern technology available, we still cannot find a permanent cure. Also, as I read this striking piece, it reminded me of a remarkable movie that my fiancée and I just recently saw titled: “The Notebook,” (which I had to look the title up due to a memory problem I have developed). As Poet Eileen Waldron states, there are many reasons for memory loss, although mine happens to be from an automobile accident I was involved in, three years ago. Vivid scenes from that outstanding motion picture began flooding through the rivers of my mind, along with struggling to remember others whom I have encountered during my lifetime that have been afflicted with memory loss for various reasons, especially those caused by this frightful disease. You have done a fabulous job, and I commend your exceptional effort. Thank you for sharing your work. Take good care and be well.
Pea, you have a fine grasp of this debilitating process...Having cared for Alzheimers patients I know the agony of it. I also know that there are so many other reasons for memory loss, that it shouldn't all be lumped together as you have so wisely said. Great write!
Eileen
Reviewed by Jerry Bolton (Reader)
Reviewed on August 23, 2005
Yup, I feel, at age sixty-six, I am on the cusp of that damned disease, it's just how I don't recall simple things. Anyway, where have YOU been? I like you style, your down-to-earthiness and your brain. (Have I covered everything? Oops, and you are beautiful to boot.) Don't know if that is true or not but you seem beautiful, so allow me my thoughts. Happy I found you.
Everybody that reads this, is going to have someone they love come to mind.
Then they are going to feel the sadness of knowing they couldn't give back what this horrid illness stripped them of. Their cherished memories. We can only keep praying that with time, a cure for this will be found.
Great work!
This is a very unique write. You have gone inside the head of an Alzheimer's patient and write supposedly of what's on this person's mind. Very creative write indeed!
Share
Print
Save
Follow
In the first stanza she is tragically aware that her grown-up children are whispering about her. As we read towards the end, we find her more optimistic as her memories cushion her from the harsh reality of her illness.
I like this very much... I enjoyed other poems of yours too. If you would like to email me some poems for Poetry Life & Times, visit my page and click the link from there, then follow the email link at the bottom of the latest issue page....
All the best, Sara.
This makes me think that we should ask our Congressmen to plan for more money for health and medical reasearch.
"On her Good Days" depicts a sad reality of our days.
I have learned from reading "On her Good Days".
Long Healthy Life, Poet!
Andre Emmanuel Bendavi ben-YEHU
Nice work Pea
Peace and sunshine
HH
Love Tinka
Eileen
Then they are going to feel the sadness of knowing they couldn't give back what this horrid illness stripped them of. Their cherished memories. We can only keep praying that with time, a cure for this will be found.
Great work!
Lisa
This is a very unique write. You have gone inside the head of an Alzheimer's patient and write supposedly of what's on this person's mind. Very creative write indeed!
Sandie May Angel a.k.a. Sandie Angel :o)
very good.