A Mind No Longer Free (poem) by Annabel Sheila on AuthorsDen

Reviewed on April 12, 2012

Mom is in assisted living now. I visit on Sundays. Quite lucid about the past but mostly unaware of the current outside world. Reads books. Then re-reads books because her memory span is less than a minute. Still pretty damn good at crossword puzzles. Patrick

Reviewed by Jms Bell

Reviewed on April 10, 2012

YOU HAVE DESCRIBED, SO WELL, THE MARKED CRUELTY OF THIS 'ENEMY' THAT BEGINS BY 'DEVOURING' COGNITIVE ABILITIES WHILE THEY YET EXIST...WHILE THEY ARE YET 'FIGHTING' SO HARD TO LIVE! BUT, MERCILESSLY...THIS 'ALIEN INVADER' CONTINUES TO 'EAT' UNTIL AT LAST THE RAVISHED CELLS, TORTURED AND SO DEMOLISHED, 'SURRENDER' BECAUSE THEY ARE UNABLE TO FIGHT ANY LONGER. SO, THEY SUBMIT...TO THE CRUEL, HEARTLESS ENCROACHING DECAY, THE DARK ABYSS...A DUNGEON WITHOUT MEMORY OR REASON...FROM WHICH THERE IS NO RETURN. I AM REMINDED OF THE FIRST ALZHEIMER'S PATIENT I CARED FOR...SO LONG AGO, HER NAME WAS ROSEMARY. AT THAT TIME (SOME 22 YEARS AGO) THERE WAS NOT THE BLESSING OF A MEDICATION THAT DOES NOT STOP, BUT AT LEAST 'DELAYS', THE PROGRESS OF THIS TERRIBLE DISEASE. SO SAD...INDEED! THANKS FOR SHARING, ANNNABEL AND MUCH LOVE, BLESSINGS AND FAITH...
JOYCE * HIS INSPIRATIONS

Reviewed by Sheila Roy

Reviewed on April 7, 2012

I worked on one of those wards, and it was heart-breaking. A great, meaningful piece, Anna.
Sheila

Reviewed by Diana Legun (Reader)

Reviewed on April 5, 2012

My review of this piece of humanity can hardly be written through the rivers in my eyes. I would treasure sending this to my brother and sisters because our Mother is just like this right now. Exactly like you say. But I can't close off their airways like this; and these are not my words to give; they are better than any words I have. How utterly astonishing you are to be able to say this so profoundly. I am smashed. ~~ Diana

Reviewed by Mr. Ed

Reviewed on April 3, 2012

So very sad for so many today.

Reviewed by John Flanagan

Reviewed on April 2, 2012

written with sensitivity and compassion
but never denying the reality of this terrible
condition;
kudos, Annabel!

john

Reviewed by Richard King

Reviewed on April 2, 2012

Anna, I just love this one. My mother-in-law is suffering from this dreaded disorder and my sister-in-law has her hands full caring for her. She had already been caring for her severely brain damaged husband when Mom began showing the signs. It really over came her quite quickly and it is just so sad to see.

With your permission I'd like to share your poem with her. Dick

Reviewed by Christine Alwin

Reviewed on April 2, 2012

I watched this happen to my husband's Aunt Ophelia, she rasied him thru high school, devistating when she one day did not know who he was...it is complicated and sad.
Hugs,
Christine

Reviewed by Lonnie Hicks

Reviewed on April 2, 2012

You have exactly expressed what we saw our dear neighbor go through. The nicest person you could ever meet and then slowly we saw her become another person, still sweet but blank, not remembering us her neighbors of many years.
Thanks for putting this into words so beautifully and with such obvious caring.

Reviewed by Amor Sabor

Reviewed on April 2, 2012

You have put into words what it is like to undergo an affliction such as Alzheimers and I hope it gives some a kind of relief to read these words to those who have connections to someone now lacking those connections. Excellent work, Annabel.

Reviewed by Michael Jones

Reviewed on April 2, 2012

I believe when God takes the cares of the world from us; that is a transition to be closer to Him! Preparing us for the unlimited heavenly beauty home. A beautiful poem sorrow and joy but only jubilation awaits mom and those we love, a future to bright to see! Peace!!!

Reviewed by Ronald Hull

Reviewed on April 2, 2012

Those with this strange disease seem to live only in the present no past or future. Maybe, it's better that way, otherwise their dreams would be terrible.

Ron

Reviewed by Mary Ann Biddinger

Reviewed on April 2, 2012

A friend of mine named Candy. A sweetheart from Germany.
Gardening and garden club friends, church family
and her own family were utmost important. Now this
disease has given her only moments of the day
the freedom to be herself. I am sad for my friend
but visit her and sharing her Adelvise flower she had
blooming in her garden. Very touching poem Anna.
Lady Mary Ann

Reviewed by Jerry Bolton

Reviewed on April 2, 2012

Yep. I turned seventy-friggin'-three today, and these days when I forget things I automatically wonder if I'm headed that way. It is a horrible thing to have happen to you.

Reviewed by Laura Fall

Reviewed on April 2, 2012

A very touching poem and I lost my mother last February from this illness and heartbreaking it was and is as it is so sad .Well done poetry indeed my friend and so meaningful Laura

Reviewed by Mark Lichterman

Reviewed on April 2, 2012

Such a sad affliction indeed. Offhand I cannot think of anyone that I've personally known that was a victim off Alzheimers but my wife did go through a bout of Dementia and, though it lasted no more than five days, it scared the hell out of my four children and myself. Good, thoughtful poem, Anna.
Your southwestern friend; Mark