Dementia Unit. Poem by Michael Walker
Dementia Unit.
On one of my visits to the hospital
with locked iron-grille gates,
I walked upstairs to the balcony,
with tables and chairs, to the lounge,
where men and women patients,
sat in armchairs watching television,
saying little to one another, taciturn.
You could stroll around the grounds
with the patient you came to see.
His mind is lost, so is his memory.
I walked and talked with a young man
about nearby houses with tiled roofs
of different colours; he liked off-white,
cream, anything but brown, like me.
The young man talked of tablets
he would not take, neither would I.
We parted almost like friends.
'How did my brother end up here', I wondered.
'There but for the grace of God go you or I'.
-2/3 April,2018.
A wonderful, poignant and honest write beautifully crafted and executed. A poem that depicts the realities of life and conveys an important message that health is wealth. Yes, I do agree that you feel blessed of your fate. Dementia is one of the chronic disorders of the mental processes that is really life changing. A great piece.10
Thank you so much for your appreciative comment, on a topic that some readers would shy away from.
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
I would like to translate this poem
Delivering Poems Around The World
Poems are the property of their respective owners. All information has been reproduced here for educational and informational purposes to benefit site visitors, and is provided at no charge...
4/25/2024 4:24:37 PM # 1.0.0.1119
An interesting poem that had me contemplating your subject for a long while afterwards. Reflection with a little sadness too. However, I truly value my experience during my nursing training working with people with alzheimers in a secure unit. The locked gates protected these souls from wandering into unsupervised situations, bewildered and lost. The exceptional caring, calmness, and love exhibited by the nurses is memorable.
Such a coincidence that you have worked with people with Alzheimers in a secure unit. You have the insight to appreciate the poem. I think Alzheimers and dementia are similar diseases. I have spoken casually to two patients on a one-on-one and they had interesting stories and comments to make. Thank you.