This old woman's Diary
A poem of growing old with afflictions of body and mind28 total reviews
Comment from karenina
Oh no! Please pass the tissues...
My grandmom died at 98, but her mind was consumed by Alzheimer's in her sixties, and what a long and sad slide it was as she lost us to that disease...
Of all possible miracles, the day she died she turned to me, clear eyed and smiling and I could see the recognition in her eyes. "Karen!" She said-- "You've come to see me off!" (chills here)
Poignant and loving and full of melancholia...and yet that sweet peace of knowing we "eternally" outlast our earthbound ills, and indeed, we unite on the other side!
I've never had a doubt...
So glad you reinforced that with this beautiful poem.
Karenina
reply by the author on 25-Mar-2023
  |
Oh no! Please pass the tissues...
My grandmom died at 98, but her mind was consumed by Alzheimer's in her sixties, and what a long and sad slide it was as she lost us to that disease...
Of all possible miracles, the day she died she turned to me, clear eyed and smiling and I could see the recognition in her eyes. "Karen!" She said-- "You've come to see me off!" (chills here)
Poignant and loving and full of melancholia...and yet that sweet peace of knowing we "eternally" outlast our earthbound ills, and indeed, we unite on the other side!
I've never had a doubt...
So glad you reinforced that with this beautiful poem.
Karenina
Comment Written 25-Mar-2023
reply by the author on 25-Mar-2023
-
Oh my, Chills here too! How beautiful is it that she recognized you and spoke the words she did? I'm sure you have cherished and carried that experience with you over the years. Beautiful moments like yours are so rare.
PS. I didn't know your name was Karen!
-
Shhhh. In this wonderful world wide web world, KAREN is the least likely name I would wish for.
The long story short? My Dad insisted I be called Karenina (after his favorite novel)---and my Mom (go figure) said she who goes through 1 hours labor and a breached birth (since my left leg was "born" hours before the rest of me)--got the right of first refusal...
SO--my birth certificate says "Karen"--but my Dad (A stubborn but loving former Marine)--ALWAYS called me Karenina.
I chose this as my pen name to honor him...
(smile)
Comment from Wendy G
I very much enjoyed this poignant piece - very sad, very moving, and extremely meaningful. It's very thoughtful and insightful, and well written. I would offer a six if I had any left!
Wendy
reply by the author on 15-Mar-2023
|
I very much enjoyed this poignant piece - very sad, very moving, and extremely meaningful. It's very thoughtful and insightful, and well written. I would offer a six if I had any left!
Wendy
Comment Written 15-Mar-2023
reply by the author on 15-Mar-2023
-
Thank you, Wendy, for the great review and honorable mention for the six stars.
Comment from Paul McFarland
That is a really heartfelt piece, John. I would find a different word than "simpered". When you say her husband didn't waken, at first I thought he had died, but as I continued to read, it seemed that he did not waken from his affliction. Am I understanding this correctly?
reply by the author on 15-Mar-2023
|
That is a really heartfelt piece, John. I would find a different word than "simpered". When you say her husband didn't waken, at first I thought he had died, but as I continued to read, it seemed that he did not waken from his affliction. Am I understanding this correctly?
Comment Written 15-Mar-2023
reply by the author on 15-Mar-2023
-
Thank you, Paul, for the great review. I took another look at the word 'simpered' and changed it. The diary entry concluded that he did die, and she experienced him as a spirit outside her window. I hope that helps Paul. Thanks again for the critique.
Comment from harmony13
The author's words told a story. The poem is engaging, meaningful, descriptive and creative. I pondered on each stanza and as I got to the last stanza I found the poem ended extremely peaceful. Thank you for the author's notes - I like knowing the history! Awesome Artwork!
reply by the author on 15-Mar-2023
|
The author's words told a story. The poem is engaging, meaningful, descriptive and creative. I pondered on each stanza and as I got to the last stanza I found the poem ended extremely peaceful. Thank you for the author's notes - I like knowing the history! Awesome Artwork!
Comment Written 14-Mar-2023
reply by the author on 15-Mar-2023
-
Thank you, H13, for the great review and kind words.
Comment from bob cullen
I wanted so much to give you a six, but they are like my last paycheck, long gone. This is precisely how a letter of love should be written. I am so delighted you reposted it. One can sense the love with which it was penned. Beautifully worded. And I bet those words mean as much today as on the day you wrote them.
reply by the author on 14-Mar-2023
|
I wanted so much to give you a six, but they are like my last paycheck, long gone. This is precisely how a letter of love should be written. I am so delighted you reposted it. One can sense the love with which it was penned. Beautifully worded. And I bet those words mean as much today as on the day you wrote them.
Comment Written 14-Mar-2023
reply by the author on 14-Mar-2023
-
Bob, thank you for the great review and honorable mention of the six! Your review is inspiring.
Comment from GWHARGIS
This was incredibly bittersweet. I love it as a diary entry. The paper absorbing the words that her husband's mind can not. No one in the beginning of a relationship can ever imagine a time when one or the other is infirmed. This was just beautiful. As sad as it was, it still inspired hope. Gretchen
reply by the author on 14-Mar-2023
 |
This was incredibly bittersweet. I love it as a diary entry. The paper absorbing the words that her husband's mind can not. No one in the beginning of a relationship can ever imagine a time when one or the other is infirmed. This was just beautiful. As sad as it was, it still inspired hope. Gretchen
Comment Written 13-Mar-2023
reply by the author on 14-Mar-2023
-
Thank you, Gretchen, for the six stars and the great review. I'm so happy you liked it. Thank you, again.
Comment from Ginda Simpson
I can see this being written in the early morning hour, when our thoughts are clear and we are hopeful for what the day may bring, grateful for the simple things that bring us joy. Sometimes that is enough, especially if we have loved fully. This is a lovely poem about an enduring love. If I may say so, the font makes it a little difficult to read. Can it be double-spaced or perhaps another hand-written font could be substituted.
reply by the author on 14-Mar-2023
|
I can see this being written in the early morning hour, when our thoughts are clear and we are hopeful for what the day may bring, grateful for the simple things that bring us joy. Sometimes that is enough, especially if we have loved fully. This is a lovely poem about an enduring love. If I may say so, the font makes it a little difficult to read. Can it be double-spaced or perhaps another hand-written font could be substituted.
Comment Written 13-Mar-2023
reply by the author on 14-Mar-2023
-
Thank you, Ginda, for the great review and all the kind words. I have had other comments about the font and will have to play around with it to get it right. Thank you.
Comment from Thesis
I think you captured such a realistic scenario that many older people face on a daily basis. Alzheimer's is such a cruel condition, robbing families their ability to function effectively. Having the wife be so caring and loving is very real, but at the same time sad, as it is hurtful for her to constantly remember how things were.
reply by the author on 14-Mar-2023
|
I think you captured such a realistic scenario that many older people face on a daily basis. Alzheimer's is such a cruel condition, robbing families their ability to function effectively. Having the wife be so caring and loving is very real, but at the same time sad, as it is hurtful for her to constantly remember how things were.
Comment Written 13-Mar-2023
reply by the author on 14-Mar-2023
-
Thank you, Thesis, for the great review and kind words.
Comment from jacquelyn popp
I enjoyed reading your excellent poem. The fond that you used was hard to make out some of the letters, so I had to read it through twice. I can relate to your poem, as I lost my mom a couple of years ago to lewey body dimentia, one of the worst kinds they say. I was her caretaker, and I stayed positive, knowing someday I will reunite with her as my mom who I remember. I loved how the ending of your poem is positive. Very well written. Nicely done. Thank you for sharing.
reply by the author on 14-Mar-2023
|
I enjoyed reading your excellent poem. The fond that you used was hard to make out some of the letters, so I had to read it through twice. I can relate to your poem, as I lost my mom a couple of years ago to lewey body dimentia, one of the worst kinds they say. I was her caretaker, and I stayed positive, knowing someday I will reunite with her as my mom who I remember. I loved how the ending of your poem is positive. Very well written. Nicely done. Thank you for sharing.
Comment Written 13-Mar-2023
reply by the author on 14-Mar-2023
-
Thank you, for the great review, Jacquelyn! Yes, I will revisit the font. Thank you again
Comment from mermaids
Excellent poem that captures well what life is like when a spouse has dementia. I like how the poem is in the woman's voice as she is speaking to her husband. The ending is positive as the lady states she will reunite with her husband. You have a smooth flow of lines and your poem tells a story.
reply by the author on 14-Mar-2023
|
Excellent poem that captures well what life is like when a spouse has dementia. I like how the poem is in the woman's voice as she is speaking to her husband. The ending is positive as the lady states she will reunite with her husband. You have a smooth flow of lines and your poem tells a story.
Comment Written 13-Mar-2023
reply by the author on 14-Mar-2023
-
Thank you for the great review, mermaids!
