10/05/2025
‘It is my absolute pleasure to share my heartfelt poem with you and I hope that it delivers a message to all those who read it or listen to it, so we all can learn to look through the eyes or walk in the shoes of people with dementia.'
Jo Sharples, an Imaging Assistant at Goring Hall Hospital, has written this poem about dementia, titled ‘Forget Me Not’.
The poem reads:
I look at your beautiful face but I cannot remember your name ‘cos I forgot,
However I still love you dearly so please forget me not.
Don’t ask me to remember things as my memory is not as it used to be,
Don’t treat me differently as deep down I’m still here - it’s still me!
At times I try to say something, but it’s hard to utter the right words,
Be patient with me, hug me and forgive me when I release emotional outbursts.
There might be instances when I keep repeating myself or stare at a clock,
Come and sit with me, cuddle me, reassure me - forget me not!
When I get agitated and find it hard to sleep at night,
Speak to me softly, hold my hand gently and tell me that everything’s gonna be alright!
I enjoy the outdoors where I can see flowers, trees and the sea which I prefer most,
Don’t leave me, stand beside me, as I get scared if I get lost.
Don’t ask me to tell you what day it is, ‘cos no matter how hard I try to remember, I cannot,
However recall those times when I taught YOU the names of the days of the week, so forget me not!
Sometimes I find it hard to look after myself ‘cos I forgot how,
Please don’t shout at me or scold me as this is how I am now.
When I don’t eat please help me, don’t tell me off and make me cry,
Be compassionate, understand me and do praise me when I try.
Life can be hard, so let’s enjoy the happy times as I don’t know how many moments together we’ve got,
Look after me, make me happy and when the parting time comes, forget me not!
