Dementia

[Neville Briggs]

A good mate and old colleague of mine is showing the sure signs of encroaching dementia. It's very distressing, I think about it every day.



DEMENTIA


I recognise that friendly face,
a window to a lively mind
that once I knew. We often laughed
and talked about the things that bind;
our mutual experience
of art and music, family,
and down the years; of comradeship.
Who could have known that stealthily
the plunderer was plundering.
A shadow steals across your face
as in the eve, the sun goes down
and darkens psyche's hiding place.

[manfredvijars]

... think about what ????

[Neville Briggs]

I think about a man that I knew as young bloke of thirty years of age with a growing family, a drover, a mounted trooper, a senior sergeant in the police , a fine musician and in later years a keen artist. I think about how he has changed into a personality so different from before and one day maybe not too far away, he probably won't know me. It saddens me deeply.

[Zondrae]

G'day Neville,

Well written. I havent been making too much comment on actual poems lately. My self confidence is sometimes quite fragile and I even doubt my ability to judge other work. But this, I'm sure I like.

Have you ever thought which would be worse: a sound body but unsound mind or the reverse? I'm not sure but I think the sound mind but useless body would be worse. Some days I am particularly clumsy and recall my Dad referring to me as the Italian for 'Little Earthquake'. I guess I was always clumsy and loud.

[william williams]

Hi Neville my heart bleeds for you. I cannot remember who said this but how true it is
Is it better to remember the person as they were . than to remember them as they are now.

IT's a hard thing to do mate.


And this was written on a tomb stone out back, in memory of a chap who was gored to death by a scrub bull
Let us all remember you mate, as you were

Bill the old Battler

[Neville Briggs]

Thanks for the encouragement Zondrae. I wouldn't have thought of you as lacking in confidence, little earthquake you seem to be able to do pretty good in your writing. Didn't you do a one woman performance recently, now that's an acomplishment that requires confidence.

Which is worse ? you say Zondrae. I think anything that affects the mind is far worse than physical disability.

G'day Bill. I appreciate your kind thoughts. I hear what you say.

[Dave Smith]

Neville you seem to having a bit of a rough trot, and picking up a few of life’s scars,

Just remember we all love ya mate.

TTFN

[Neville Briggs]

Good on ya Dave. There's this old philosophical saying in Oz
useful for the therapeutic, psychologically integrated approach to personality constructivism....... " she'll be right mate "