The Long Goodbye Comments
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I took another step today
on that last journey I will take
the one taking me to a destination
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It breaks my heart to read my own words, Soran, it is like watching a pack of wolves dragging gown a once magnificent elk
Mj- - Thank you for the 10- -dementia. Alzheimer's senility- -all destruction of the mind that takes away from a person all that living life gives a person,
Now I wonder what he kept inside for those last ten years the sudden feelings of detachment of losing touch with self the world he knew so well refusing to come to mind the inability to keep things straight in the gathering dusk
part 1 Our dear Poet Susan Williams here started talking about her other step, and no one wants to take it, but we are not free to choose. Susan has a memory that stops at a specific time, linking her to her father while they share the same journey,
part 2 and on the other hand Susan wants to relive the time of authenticity and pleasure by shedding light on the long goodbye, death and life are two important ontological topics that many philosophers have puzzled over to understand, but Susan here intelligently transfers us to that sphere. 10/10 and to my favorites list
Very moving, Susan....A profound work about one disappearing, yet in plain sight. A profound, perfect 10.
This is a well composed touching piece, dear Ma’am Susan......10+++
The missing comment was- -A sensitive poem about a distressing subject. Thank you for your kind comments.- -would love to know who made it! ! !
Thank you for your comment on this poem. Unfortunately I can't find the comment in my notifications below.
the comment was==A sensitive poem about a distressing subject. Thank you for your kind comments.
It is such a debilitating condition! I feel so sorry for its victims and fear the onset of such a sickness when ever forgetfulness plagues me! It is a state when we get totally divorced from the world and our near ones, a total disintegration of the self! Sorry to know that your father suffered from it for ten long years! How much he and your family must have suffered! A very touching narration!
I am sure there were times he must have been terrified by the utter strangeness of what was going on around him. I saw confusion often angered him, sometimes though confusion led him to seek comfort kneeling by my Mother's chair. Once I sang a song at dinner time and he lit up like a Christmas tree and sang it along with me, never hesitating over a word. There were good memories.
A touching and moving poem. It's painful to watch love ones declining with age and losing some of their abilities but still trying to regain what they have lost. And losing ones memory to a disease is the most painful of all when you can no longer remember things that gave your life much meaning. Yet there are moments when a ray of light gets through the fog in your head that a memory flash back that only last for a brief moment. Well penned.10
Nudershada, thank you for delving deep into the world of this poem and reaching out for understanding about what it can mean to those afflicted. Yes, definitely, to lose what gave one's life meaning would rob your life from having been lived. Thank you for the kind remark and the 10. I appreciate supportive remarks!
Part 2 the world he knew so well refusing to come to mind the inability to keep things straight in the gathering dusk . .........................as he took another step .........................on this journey of the long good-bye Thanks again for this impressive poem.
Thank you, sir. I am trying to write more about this journey- it needs understanding and scientific research. It is a threat looming over more people than realize it.
Part -1 A poignant write full of touching emotion for which I have to visit for second time. The following lines take me to deep emotion......... Now I wonder what he kept inside for those last ten years the sudden feelings of detachment of losing touch with self...(continued)
I am glad you find power and truth in this so much that you come back and read it again. It hurts to write and it hurts to think about those years but there were moments that I remember with joy and thanksgiving.
What a coincidence! Yesterday I watched again '' The Notebook '', a film which leaves me in tears each time I see it; your poem has the same effect on me. A great poem!
That film is a very well-done film and it tears my heart out every time I can bring myself to watch it. In some ways it reflects the love my Father had for my Mother- he never forgot who she was. Not once. Maybe they should run that movie in the theaters and all profits would be donated to research on Alzheimer's and dementia. Thank you for reading and commenting, Mihaela.
So many in the world can relate to it. When some loved one loses touch with the world n retreats within themselves, it's painful. A moving write in your father's memory.
Nosheen, there are many suffering from this disease- -and their families and friends suffer along with them. But even in the midst of this daily tragedy, there are moments with my Father that are a special joy to remember.
As usual, your this poem too so much touching... as seeing some drops of tears falling and falling in years from eyes to heart.. and how to keep it seeing and how not to
My friend, you have a great big heart and it is full of compassion for others... thank you for your encouragement and supporting words
To say the final goodbye is so, so very difficult. Specially, to your dear parents. I have gone through this trauma, so i understand exactly what you mean. A poignant write full of touching emotion. Very beautifully written Susan. Bless you.
Geeta, I am sad to hear you lost loved ones to this trauma [well-chosen word for it] I think I am going to continue writing on this- -making it a series because there were touching and special times as well as the grievous times. Thank you for your comforting comments, Geeta
A beautifully, tender poem about your understanding of Alzheimer's it robs our loved one's of their identity, their sense of belonging and not knowing their family is heartbreaking! Superb write Susan!
I think I will write more about my Father and his final journey- -there are also moments that shine like stars... those with family members with dementia/Alzheimer's treasure those moments. Thank you Hazel for reading and commenting.
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9/6/2025 10:04:15 AM # 1.0.0
Soran, I love the way you dig deep into the poetry you read and give us a look at our work from the outside... as in are we clear, are we generating emotion which leads to caring. Thank you, again, Soran, for being a valuable member of the PH community both as an avid reader and as a great writer!