Darkness and Light
My Dementia and how I feel14 total reviews
Comment from jessizero
I enjoyed your rhymes. I realize this is free verse, but the way you ran lines together distracted me. Still, it's your poem, and I can appreciate it. This poem was really something. Thank you for sharing, and best wishes to you.
reply by the author on 27-Apr-2025
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I enjoyed your rhymes. I realize this is free verse, but the way you ran lines together distracted me. Still, it's your poem, and I can appreciate it. This poem was really something. Thank you for sharing, and best wishes to you.
Comment Written 25-Apr-2025
reply by the author on 27-Apr-2025
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Hi Jessi, I'm so sorry for the long delay. Thank you for the great review and taking the time to read my work. I write very few poems and have never understood the different types of poem writing. I write from my heart and hope for the best. As for this poem. I wrote it about myself and dealing with Dementia. I was diagnosed several years ago, and each day I lose a little more of myself. The Darkness and Light are the struggles I face every day. Hopefully, that sheds some light on my poem. Have a great day .. Jake
Comment from Rachel Jamerson1
The latter years of life can be confusing. Your entry conveys that, however, it would seem you are too young to have reached this point. I have a few years on you and can relate to your words. Good job.
reply by the author on 27-Apr-2025
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The latter years of life can be confusing. Your entry conveys that, however, it would seem you are too young to have reached this point. I have a few years on you and can relate to your words. Good job.
Comment Written 25-Apr-2025
reply by the author on 27-Apr-2025
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Hi Rachel, I am sorry for the delay in getting back with you. I'll be 69 in a few months, and diagnosed with Dementia several years ago and as you may be aware, it is a progressive mess that will eventually take your life. Darkness and Light is my way of telling people what a loved one may be endure. Thank you for reading my poem. Have a great day.. Jake
Comment from Lana Marie
Well, I don't know if it was part one or part two of living with dementia. Cause I just read your other one and then this one came up next. What I forgot to say in the last one is thank you for your service. That's great that you and your wife are best friends and you have one another while you go through this tough season.
Prayers for you and your family.
reply by the author on 27-Apr-2025
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Well, I don't know if it was part one or part two of living with dementia. Cause I just read your other one and then this one came up next. What I forgot to say in the last one is thank you for your service. That's great that you and your wife are best friends and you have one another while you go through this tough season.
Prayers for you and your family.
Comment Written 16-Apr-2025
reply by the author on 27-Apr-2025
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Hi Lana. Thank you for taking the time to read my work and the kind review. I wrote Darkness and Light about 6 months before I was diagnosed with Dementia. At the time I had no idea why I wrote it. At one of my doctor's appointments with my Neurologist I showed him the poem and he asked if he could frame it and hang it on the wall. I told him yes. That poem is now in eight Neurologist offices, and ten Dementia Support Groups. Folks like me will read it and just about cry and tell me that is exactly how they feel. My PTSD and the Dementia are ganging up on me and making matters worse (if that is possible). Again thank you so much. Jake PS.. My wife is my Angel, I don't know what I would do without her. :)
Comment from oliver818
This poem is a great representation of a life lived to the full. I particularly liked the line about your mind being like a broken egg- such a powerful image. Thanks for sharing this and have a great day
reply by the author on 27-Apr-2025
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This poem is a great representation of a life lived to the full. I particularly liked the line about your mind being like a broken egg- such a powerful image. Thanks for sharing this and have a great day
Comment Written 16-Apr-2025
reply by the author on 27-Apr-2025
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Hi Oliver. Thank you so much for the review and kind words. It is a huge struggle each day. Jake
Comment from Rick Gardner
This is very difficult to read, If I truly understand these words, you need a true friend to hold your hand and follow you down the same paths. You gave your life to fight for our freedom and give protection to all that needed to be protected. Life will be hard, life can be giving. See the brightness you gave of yourself to those who need it.
reply by the author on 05-Apr-2025
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This is very difficult to read, If I truly understand these words, you need a true friend to hold your hand and follow you down the same paths. You gave your life to fight for our freedom and give protection to all that needed to be protected. Life will be hard, life can be giving. See the brightness you gave of yourself to those who need it.
Comment Written 05-Apr-2025
reply by the author on 05-Apr-2025
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Hi Rick. Thank you for a very well-focused review. You are close. I was diagnosed with Dementia several years ago and my brain likes to play games with me. Darkness and Light refer to how my day will go and if I will know who I am as well as my wife and family and friends. Each day I pray for the light, but unfortunately, I am and will continue to lose the battle and the light will dim until I am gone. Thank you, Rick. Jake
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Jake, we have a common state of mind. I have fairly advanced Parkinson's Disease and confusion is now my middle name. A walking stick is my friend now. If you need one, check out Black Diamond brand. Get the cushions for the point as it is pointed for climbing up snow fields. Can't do that anymore and rock faces are also far behind. Don't need my ropes anymore. Best of luck. You know how to find me.
Comment from Mrs Anna Howard
I am so sorry you feel this way. This is such a powerful poem and I am sobbing as I am writing this review. Thank you for writing this. And thank you for your service.
reply by the author on 05-Apr-2025
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I am so sorry you feel this way. This is such a powerful poem and I am sobbing as I am writing this review. Thank you for writing this. And thank you for your service.
Comment Written 04-Apr-2025
reply by the author on 05-Apr-2025
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Hello Mrs. Anna. I wrote this poem several years ago, and it was about Dementia. About 6 months after I wrote it, I was diagnosed with Dementia, and since then, I have been doing a downward spiral. Darkness and Light are what I face each morning when I wake up, and if I will recognize my wife, family and friends. There are days I will forget everything I am doing and my wife calls it my 1000 yard stare. I can't form a statement or even understand what is happening. This poem has made it to all three of my Neurologists offices where they are framed and hung on the wall. Copies of this poem have also made it to Dementia Support Groups and framed. If a person has a loved one or friend that has Dementia, this poem gives them something that helps them understand. Thank you so much for taking the time to read this and review it. Jake
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Jake, oh wow! Thanks for sharing your story. I want to let you know this piece means a lot to me. My loved one also has dementia and it is difficult sometimes.
Comment from Iza Deleanu
You gave us a shot bio of your life and tribulation and this part is a raw pain :"With each day the lights may dim and therefore I may never see you again. Say your goodbyes when I know your name; say your goodbyes and tell me we will always be friends.
And if you were to ask me what all this is about, I would tell you it is a silly little game between me and my brain. I have no doubt who is winning right now, but I have to say I kicked his ass around. Maybe someday we will meet, we will laugh and joke like yesteryear, but for now a simple goodbye will have to do, and hope there is another day that I remember you." Thank you for sharing and good luck with the contest.
reply by the author on 01-Apr-2025
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You gave us a shot bio of your life and tribulation and this part is a raw pain :"With each day the lights may dim and therefore I may never see you again. Say your goodbyes when I know your name; say your goodbyes and tell me we will always be friends.
And if you were to ask me what all this is about, I would tell you it is a silly little game between me and my brain. I have no doubt who is winning right now, but I have to say I kicked his ass around. Maybe someday we will meet, we will laugh and joke like yesteryear, but for now a simple goodbye will have to do, and hope there is another day that I remember you." Thank you for sharing and good luck with the contest.
Comment Written 01-Apr-2025
reply by the author on 01-Apr-2025
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Thank you so much for the review. As I have found out over the last few years is. Dementia is really like being in hell. Every evening when I go to bed I honestly wonder if it will be darkness or light when I wait up. Thank you again, have a good day.
Comment from Barry Penfold
Hi Jake. This is different but good different. Certainly tells a bit of your story and I am confident you can get more out there and meet a lot more friends. You have already helped a lot of people. All the best in the contest and take care.
Cheers
Barry Penfold.
reply by the author on 01-Apr-2025
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Hi Jake. This is different but good different. Certainly tells a bit of your story and I am confident you can get more out there and meet a lot more friends. You have already helped a lot of people. All the best in the contest and take care.
Cheers
Barry Penfold.
Comment Written 01-Apr-2025
reply by the author on 01-Apr-2025
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Hi Barry. Thank you for the great review and words of encouragement. Unfortunately, my Dementia has started a downward spiral and won't get better. We just take it one day at a time and hope for the best. I have good and bad days, and my wife is always by my side. I know one day I will get to the point of not being able to write and that hurts. Thank you for the review.
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Keep going as long as you can Jake.I feel you will go for quite some time. All the best.
Regards
Barry
Comment from pome lover
If this is true, my heart goes out to you. I am at the stage where I forget words, and as a writer that is especially embarrassing and frustrating. I think the thing about writing is it gives you time to think of the word you forgot, and if you still can't remember it, Google it! You certainly can't do that in the middle of a conversation with somebody --or I guess you could on your cell phone, but the moment will have passed.
Keep writing and you might try playing sudoku online. It's fun, though I still haven't gotten past medium hard.
Katharine
Good luck and happy writing.
Katharine
reply by the author on 31-Mar-2025
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If this is true, my heart goes out to you. I am at the stage where I forget words, and as a writer that is especially embarrassing and frustrating. I think the thing about writing is it gives you time to think of the word you forgot, and if you still can't remember it, Google it! You certainly can't do that in the middle of a conversation with somebody --or I guess you could on your cell phone, but the moment will have passed.
Keep writing and you might try playing sudoku online. It's fun, though I still haven't gotten past medium hard.
Katharine
Good luck and happy writing.
Katharine
Comment Written 28-Mar-2025
reply by the author on 31-Mar-2025
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Hi Katharine, I sorry for the delay replying. Yes, the poem is about me. I was diagnosed about three years back. I wrote this poem about a year or so before doctors knew what was happening. We were doing yard work and I started putting stuff away and all sudden I couldn’t talk right and I was have a problem standing. My wife thought I was having a stroke and it did should what they thought were mini strokes and they left it at that. My Neurologists has been great and they a keep close tab on me. When I first tested they told me Dementia is like walk up steps. There is seven steps or waypoints, seven being the worse. The first testing I did, I was on step 5. That was less than two days ago. As of a couple of months ago, I’m on the sixth step. I’m going down faster now and forgetting lots of stuff. I’m forgetting friends and getting to the point they may take my license. I have what my wife calls good and bad days. You can guess what they are. I had no idea I had Dementia, with a side order of Alzheimer's as one of my Neurologists says. Something popped into my head and I stayed typing. This poem is hanging is hanging in several Neurologist offices now. It is also in a lot of support groups. I hope you don’t have Dementia, it is no fun. Our friends and neighbors know what is going on with me and support us as much as possible. I’m happy you like the poem, and can relate to it. Have a great night Katharine.
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All the best to you, Robert!
Keep writing. That's bound to help.
Comment from Noreen Bernardo
Thank you Jake for this poem of transparency. Also for your service as a police officer, a big thank you! Our lives lived in this world our short. We are pilgrims passing through. We will one day be with our Lord; our creator and our loved ones.There will be no more sicness or tears or pain. You've done a wonderful job with the construction of your poem. Kind regards!
reply by the author on 31-Mar-2025
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Thank you Jake for this poem of transparency. Also for your service as a police officer, a big thank you! Our lives lived in this world our short. We are pilgrims passing through. We will one day be with our Lord; our creator and our loved ones.There will be no more sicness or tears or pain. You've done a wonderful job with the construction of your poem. Kind regards!
Comment Written 28-Mar-2025
reply by the author on 31-Mar-2025
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Hi Noreen. Thank you for the beautiful review. Your words are touching and straightforward. Like the poem says I'll never regret anything I have done in my life. My wife and I take it one step and one day at a time. Thank you for your kindness. Jake
