Poem about the journey of losing someone to Alzheimer's

Reesecleo

I lost my mother to Alzheimer's back in October and like many others I've seen on this message board, I started writing poetry to help process my grief. I've been touched reading the poems others have written about their loved ones and feel inspired to share a poem about the journey of losing Mom to Alzheimer's. 

The Bellringer

I’m twenty one and sitting across a fortune teller She meticulously studies my palms Seeing a taxing journey ahead, she holds my hands with compassion I come to as I recognize my own mother sitting across from me She repeats her future for me  “I have Alzheimers” I stare at the sharp uphill mountain appearing before me It shows the solitary climb I am forced now to take Time becomes my sworn enemy The unmerciful master my mother and I find ourselves enslaved to Week after week he infuses her with confusion M o n t h after m o n t h he extracts his payment of memories Year  after  year he devours her independence I make my daily visit to Hope’s aviary and despair overtakes me I’ve discovered Time has clipped her wings and stolen her song I hold my mother as she falls like sand through my fingers The sacred connection formed in the womb is rapidly being severed  Her eyes scan the room searching for me as I stand in front of her The name she bore me no longer passes her lips I call to her but my mother no longer answers  Her empty vessel responds with words I can’t comprehend I’m enraged with Time for I see she has no good days left At twenty seven I offer to trade my happiness for my mother’s peace Time hearing my bargain performs his only merciful act He manumits her earthly tether and her soul departs Her lifeless body floats on a raft of cypress in the Chattahoochee river I release a fiery arrow giving her a warrior’s funeral Turning from her I find myself at the bottom of a deep pit I will myself to crawl through grief’s viscid tar up to the land of the living For the first time in years I find myself content as I inch forward I sense Hope’s song is released and singing to me For I hear my mom saying my name again and it rings like bells 

Nerdyblond

That was a beautiful poem. Great way to cope and I am so sorry for your loss.

Cyn’s Daughter

Breathtaking. I am humbled by such a beautiful expression. Thank you for sharing.

wyoming daughter

beautiful.  thank you for sharing.