Dementia Poem by Sheena Blackhall

Dementia
Dementia never has a kind conclusion
There is no magic cure, no healing dose
It twists the brain, tricks memories and emotions
Events emerge, long buried, hurts disclose

The medals won from wars of daily living
Are stripped by seismic shifts of the mind's movement
Friends who once would please, and be well met
Now sink like sand, a life-in-death bereavement

The relatives back off. May try to raise
The ghosts of better days, sweets on a plate
Of popular sun spots, or a family lunch
Before the laughing eyes turned into slate

Thus to the rocks another boat is blown
Farewell normality, the safe, the known