Still Responding to ‘Still Alice’ and Others We Know
Some time ago I read ‘Still Alice’ and was struck by the plight of the story. I also know a number of families who have, or are, journeying with a loved one who has a dementia-related condition. This is partly a response to all of this, and also, to a fabulous post ‘Still Emily’ from the Bookshelf of Emily J.
Still Responding to ‘Still Alice’ and Others We Know
Still
Spinning the cycling conversation,
We were last here
Around five minutes ago.
Still
Asking the same questions
And heading down the same trajectory,
As the narrative arcs out
And returns
Like a jet
Waiting for ground clearance
To finally come
To rest.
Rest
There needs to be rest
For this person
And their loved ones,
From this demented process,
The ‘in and out’ of reality,
Where
Some moments are Ok
But others, oh
No!
Who is this person
Behind the face
Of one I thought
I knew?
Maybe it is I
Who have the problem?
I can be a bit,
You know,
Lost in my world.
But wait.
He’s
Not following
The plot.
The poor family
How can they
Stay with this
Still?
Still
On the journey
The merry-go-round
Of thought loops.
But the go-round
Aint always so merry
Just round.
Simon C.J. Falk 4 June 2016
Simon's still stanza 