Early morning...
Pulling away the curtains
I let the sun stream in
"Good Morning" I say cheerfully
"Morning" Replies Mom drowsily
"Happy Birthday"
She repeats after me "Happy Birthday"
I ask her, "Whose Birthday it is , Maa?"
"Don't know..." She says dreamily
"Yours", I croon into her ears softly
In the evening...
Sister brings the cake
"Happy Birthday Maa"
Creamed on it
We make her sit on the bed
and tell her to cut it
She tries to wound her gnarled fingers
Round the plastic knife but fails
We hold her hand and knife out a piece
Singing "Happy Long Life To You..."
She looks around with wide vacant eyes and
Repeats "Appy Long Life..."
Her lids droop....we place her head gently
on the pillow....she snores softly
In the Hall...
We all gather
With a piece of cake in hand
We celebrate her wrinkled memory
Her fading smile
Her half knowing glances
Her garbled song
And pretend to be merry
A bit musty though...
My mother is a Dementia patient since 2016
This poem is shared with Poets and Storytellers United
Oh so touchy....l know how it is my grandmom too suffered the same. Patience is tried but happy memories make up for more than
ReplyDeleteThanks Jossina. We have to celebrate what's no more.
ReplyDeleteOh V.L, I like this sooo very much. I have friends who contracted Dementia and my dad had it before he died at age 97. Adi, my Beagle dog, were a registered Pet Therapy Team and visited the Alzheimers wing at a local senior living home. She loved those residents and they loved her. You could search my blog for her, she died in 2012.
ReplyDelete..
I think there is some connect between dementia and doggos. My mother's first sentence after waking up each morning is "Where's Rinky?" That's my pet.
DeleteSo beautiful that you care for her.
ReplyDeleteHappy you dropped by my blog
Much💜love
Thanks for the visit
DeleteBeautifully written, sad yet tender.
ReplyDeleteThanks.
DeleteSuch a powerful moment to share with us. The image of her children holding her hand so that she can cut the cake is bittersweet. The ending is real and sad... Still, it's good to see the family together, trying to make her lucid moments as sweet as possible.
ReplyDeleteI hope she enjoyed her cake.
Yes, she did. The next morning. She has a sweet tooth.
DeleteI did not see that coming, touching
ReplyDeleteThanks Pooja
DeleteDear V.
ReplyDeleteI had Goosebumps by the time I read the last line. Your poem honours your mother so beautifully, like a soft lullaby.
It can't be easy. Sending you hugs.
Thanks Arti
DeleteMessage received from Colleen on my gmail.
ReplyDelete"Sweet in more ways than one. One some level celebrating is worth it."
Thanks a lot Colleen
ReplyDeleteBeing human... beautiful. Making memories for ourselves.
ReplyDelete