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MIXED DEMENTIA A PERSONAL NOTE

I know it's there, Worming through my mind.
Carol and I had doctors and dentist's
appointments, After which we went to tesco's.
Told her to go to the cafe while I go to the
pharmacy, I asked her to get me a cup of tea
And a glass of water. As I walked away from her
I saw she was talking to strangers.
When I got back from the pharmacy,
I noticed she was sitting on the same table
as them. Looking down at the table
I noticed she d forgotten it, Sarcastically I said.
" Thanks for the water". She replied " Sorry
I forgot ", She then started to pour out the tea.
Which had been stewing in the pot for about
Ten minutes; it tasted awful. Unable to drink it
No water plus sitting next to strangers
I didn't know, I got up and said, " I ll see you
in the car. It wasn't until later that we
discussed it. It was then that I was told
That they weren't strangers.
But our next door neighbours.
I felt terrible for not recognising them,
Such is dementia. I was very angry with myself.

Words by Alan J Ripley