Ode To Annie – A Journey Of Love and Dementia
October 12, 2016 by Alzheimer's Speaks
I am so proud of George Seiler for sharing his deep love for his wife Annie. George and Annie were such a gift to not only to all of our members and facilitators at Arthur’s Memory Cafe, Minnesota in general but the world as a whole as they shared their life, their love and their insights of living graciously with dementia.
Lori La Bey, founder of Alzheimer’s Speaks
Ode to Annie By George Seiler
Her Smile
From across the floor
a warmth engulfed me
from a distant smile.
The smile neared,
The warmth grew.
I flushed, then stiffened.
From the smile a hand extended.
The touch connected and
stayed forever as
Two souls became one.
She made me feel
warm when I felt cold.
wanted when I felt alone.
excited when I felt dull.
proud when I felt insecure.
rich when I felt poor.
strong when I felt weak.
There was a magic in her spirit.
Her final breath
She lie unmoving.
Her face taut and pale.
Her breath- barely.
Her eyes closed- unseeing.
I don’t know if she hears me
or the soft music she loves.
I think of her beauty and warmth.
My heart beats of fondness.
My eyes flow with sadness.
Her pulse slows, then stops.
Her spirit leaves.
I am alone.
Her Spirit
in soundless night I
Sleep.
Then hear the soft step
Creak.
Is she coming in to
Sleep?
I wait………………………
Then
into my pillow
I weep.
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What a beautiful and moving poem about an extraordinary love. That last stanza really gets me! Thanks to you and George for sharing it. My condolences on his great loss.
What a beautiful and moving poem about an extraordinary love. That last stanza really gets me! Thanks to you and George for sharing it. My condolences on his great loss.
Sending such big hugs to George – Annie will be with him forever.
Thank you for sharing George’s gift of writing inspired by his love for Annie. We are honored to know their story. Love never dies!
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