I started creating you right when I was a baby
and you’ve stayed with me always unless when I’m asleep, maybe.
and you’ve stayed with me always unless when I’m asleep, maybe.
You come in all flavours.. Sweet, sour, bitter
Some of you are fleeting, while some of you are bigger.
Dear memories you do love to play hide and seek.
Sometimes I need to dig you out and sometimes you refuse to leave.
That time when the teacher questioned me, and again in the exam hall
When I looked for you desperately where were you all?
Then I had my heart broken and I wanted you all gone
but you didn’t move an inch, you stubbornly stayed on!
Ah memories!
Then I saw my grandma when Alzheimer’s struck.
I watched her forget …
the children she’d nurtured, the home she’d made.
Like a baby, yet not one, she forgot to eat and to dress.
One minute she’d hug you, next she’d look through
and then she’d ask.. Little girl, who are you?
I watched my Dad’s heartbreak and my mum’s helplessness
as they fed her and bathed her and took her for a walk.
Sometimes they’d simply sit and listen to her talk.
I watched as she fought to get a grasp of you
but you remained elusive.
You’d come in flashes and then disappear
Just in reach yet just not there.
Now I know you are priceless
Good, bad, ugly, beautiful, sad, happy
every bit of you is to be cherished
for every bit of you
has a bit of me.
Note: I started this off as a fun thing because I had no clue what to write for today’s prompt, Memory. And then as I went on I remembered my grandmother who suffered from Alzheimer’s. She was the sweetest, most uncomplicated, most affectionate lady ever. And I realised how precious memories were, all of them, and how lost we’d be without them.. even the bad ones.
Thank you Write Tribe.. And yes I’m in.
Priya.. Just read the post about your grandmother… Take care.
Resonated with me a lot OM!! Not sure if my granma had AD, but all the symptoms were there..
Loved the way you've written..
You almost covered the whole journey of memories in here…
Richa
I'd imagine this must be such a hard disease to watch as it progresses and takes over someone you love.
Just reminded me of my grandmother too. She suffered from dementia in her final years.
Your words struck a chord. Lovely post.
As always, a great post. One of your best…
Lady, you write very very well. This was such a beautifully penned post explaining how Alzheimer's affects everyone in the family. It's really sad. Good start to the festival. Looking forward to the forthcoming posts. 🙂
Memories are priceless. My aunt suffers from Alzheimer's and it's so sad and so difficult for those around her. Thanks for sharing such sweet memories of your grandmother.
You touched my heart in many ways. Thank you for the share and some emotional whiplash.
Lovely style of writing in your post although it was very poignant.
Poignant piece of writing…I liked the way it started. Actually I like your writing style:)
"And I realised how precious memories were, all of them, and how lost we'd be without them.. even the bad ones." …. Especially the bad ones. Very poignant. Such a roller coaster of emotions this was. Well done. 🙂
oh! That was sad and beautiful…
I remembered my favorite granpa's struggle with cancer…
Hugs Obsessivemom!
Alzheimer's is such a scary and heart-wrenching disease.
beautiful post
I went there too because my grandma also suffered. Memories are so important. It is the ultimate record of a life lived. ♥
Thanks Ranveer, Aditya…
Sheethal.. Yes we are what we are because of our memories.
Sakshi that's the best compliment I've got. Thank you.
I have never used the word 'soulful' in my life before. But this piece here is exactly that. From merry thoughts about days of gay abandon to those of 'second childhood', and your grandmother's illness – a beautifully created poem charming by it's simplicity of craft and complexity of emotions. I love the fact that you did not try half-baked structural experiments that poets thesedays are prone to. Encouraging to see some of us are still writing real poetry. My first time on your blog, and God I am glad. 🙂
You started with a fun mood and turned to more serious. But loved the post. It just signifies the importance of memories … Beautiful post. 🙂
Memory expressed with rhythmic awesomeness!! 😀
The way u started and the finish u gave touched the heart.
http://www.vishalbheeroo.wordpress.com
Shilpa: Yes t's truly hard for the caregivers.. Harder in fact.
Nischala: thank you.
Corinne: Then you know what I'm talking about. It's difficult to see someone you love go through it.
This touched me very deeply, OM. I have watched a cousin's family suffer from their Dad having Alzheimer's and realize how difficult it can be for loved ones.
Yes, memories are treasures that we must guard. Who knows when that's all that will be left?
♥
That post took me through a whirlwind of emotions. Beautifully penned, and dealing with AD can be so painful for those who are around the person. Touching
This is such a poignant one. It must be so tough for the caregivers of patients with AD to watch as their memories erode and finally disappear!
Sid.. That's exactly how it went when I was writing. Started off as a fun thing then meandered off to Alzheimer's.
Indeed. When it started off, I was smiling. And slowly the smile turned into a thoughtful frown. I loved the post. The frown was merely because of this "uncouth" illness. It's a real killer. But I really loved your post 🙂