Sinking Into the Abyss

A free-verse poem about Alzheimer's disease.

More and more
on bad days
he is lost
in a world
filled with confusion
and time travel
to his past.

He hallucinates
of places and people
no other can see.
It fills him
with panic
and anger
and frustration.
He is lost.

On good days
he experiences
an approximation
of reality
once more,
but it fills him
with terror
as he sees
the horror
of his future.

He looks at
loved ones
with pleading eyes
that convey
the unspoken wish
to be saved
from the yawning abyss
into which
he knows
he is sinking.

His loved ones
reassure him
with forced,
comforting smiles
all will be well,
but they know
they lie
as they turn away
hot tears welling
in their eyes,
for all know
Alzheimer’s
always wins.


Please check out my ten books:
http://www.amazon.com/Jr.-Harry-E.-Gilleland/e/B004SVLY02/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0