It will still be me.

A poem about dementia by Peter Dean.

Dementia is a testing time for everyone and many of us are touched by it. Sometimes we make light of it, yet it can be a most punishing condition for a person and their family. Peter Dean has kindly agreed for us to share the poem he has written a poem to represents most of our fears. 

It will still be me.

Now time has gone full circle
I have to recognise my fears
As I lose my precious memories 
Made throughout my years

If I am forgetful 
It will still be me
If I look confused and frightened 
It will still be me
When I feel alone and vulnerable 
Please, still be there for me

For somewhere deep inside my mind
Is a lifetime stored and filed
Yet ....I may only find a memory 
Of when I was a child

If I don’t remember yesterday
If I forget your face and name
It’s still there deep inside my mind
.......No one is to blame

I may get angry, I may be rude
I may embarrass you somewhere
But please don’t turn your back on me
I shall need you there to care

For deep inside this torment
In the whirlpool of a mind
Are all our lifetime stories
For which I search but cannot find

It will be our most testing time
But I just hope that you can see
That somewhere inside this shell of mine
.............It will still be me.

Peter Dean, October 2017