An Unwanted Guest

An Unwanted Guest

When you came to live with me
You brought an unwanted guest
He took over both our lives
To the point you had to leave

Now I visit you … and he’s
Still there ruling over you
No longer a tenant but
A landlord demanding rent

And we pay him with our lives
His name is Dementia

Ken Chawkin
June 19, 2010
Fairfield, Iowa

Related: a new tanka: Dementia Blues

The Curse of Dementia: On watching a loved one diminish before your eyes, poem by Ken Chawkin

Sitting with Sally: 5-haiku poem

Rage Against the Disease

8 Responses to “An Unwanted Guest”

  1. Chris Wege Says:

    Dear Ken,

    Loud, clear and powerful! My father too has a little of this unwanted guest!

    JGD

    Chris

    Liked by 1 person

    • Ken Chawkin Says:

      Dear Chris,

      Thank you for this feedback. Much appreciated. I was told to share that poem with others who might be in a similar situation. We’re all paying our dues, one way or another. All we really have is our Self, really, in the long run. We leave the rest behind and move on to something better.

      JGD
      Ken

      Like

  2. a new tanka: Dementia Blues | The Uncarved Blog Says:

    […] Related: An Unwanted Guest […]

    Like

  3. This Quiet Love, a #LovePoem from Kenny, for Sally on #ValentinesDay | The Uncarved Blog Says:

    […] my love would be tested when An Unwanted Guest came to live with us. Eventually we would have to live apart, which lead to the Dementia Blues. […]

    Like

  4. Tanka For Sali Upholding Her Wonderful Nature | The Uncarved Blog Says:

    […] Tanka For Sali Upholding Her Wonderful Nature Her essence shines through the Dementia! […]

    Like

  5. Another poem about Sali’s essential nature | The Uncarved Blog Says:

    […] her inner nature. It shows in her smile, no matter what changes she’s going through with the illness. Whether they know it or not, it’s the main reason the staff love Sali. Why I love […]

    Like

  6. The Curse of Dementia: On watching a loved one diminish before your eyes, poem by Ken Chawkin | The Uncarved Blog Says:

    […] An Unwanted Guest and Dementia […]

    Like

  7. For Us—a tanka honoring Sali and what we shared | The Uncarved Blog Says:

    […] and me watching the challenging changes she would go through in her mind and body due to Dementia—drew us even closer together. I lovingly cared for her, and experienced joy when we were […]

    Like

Leave a comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.