4 Poems About Dementia by Nereida Corujo
- Act Now Foundation
- Feb 2, 2023
- 3 min read
Updated: Sep 5
These heartfelt poems were recently written by Nereida Corujo, a client of Act Now Foundation and the caregiver for her husband, who lived with Alzheimer’s disease for many years before he transitioned. Through her poetry, Nereida shares a personal perspective on living with dementia, caregiving, and the emotional challenges that accompany this journey.
Reading the poems closely, you will notice elements that reflect the experiences of individuals living with dementia and the daily realities faced by their caregivers. For example, in the second poem, Confused, Nereida writes, "I ran to the mirror to try and see my reflection, but to my surprise, my figure did not appear." This reflects a common symptom of moderate to severe dementia known as mirrored-self misidentification, in which a person cannot recognize their own reflected image. These poems provide insight into the emotional and cognitive aspects of dementia, helping caregivers, family members, and the broader community better understand the experience of living with Alzheimer’s and related dementias.
The poems were originally written in Spanish, Nereida Corujo's native language, and translated by Act Now Foundation so that more supporters, caregivers, and families affected by dementia could access them. While some of the original rhythm and nuance may be lost in translation, the emotional depth and reflection on caregiving remain clear. For those who wish to read the poems in Spanish, they are available on this page by switching the language at the top.
The Meeting
One day I was standing
face to face with death
when staring at me
he suddenly said
I am here for you.
Laughing uproariously
and smacking his teeth
between laughs, he told me
you are in my quota
and I am here for you.
Today I have to take you
and I have no choice
My nerves accelerated
and with him I started to talk.
I said, hey bony
give me a little more time
let's talk for a moment
to lengthen my life.
He looked at me again
and he told me you know what
for today I will forgive you
since I like you very much.
I think you're very funny
we'll lengthen your time
and another day I will be back.
* In Spanish, death is referred to as an entity, similar to the Grim Reaper in English, which is why we refer to it as "he".
Confused
You will not believe
what is happening to me
I am experiencing
something uncanny in my life.
I don't know if I'm awake anymore
maybe I'm asleep.
I have the feeling
that I'm from another planet
or I believe I'm alive
when I'm actually dead.
I walk, talk, and laugh
I even dance
but none of that works
no one wants to look at me.
Friends, I'm so confused that
I don't know what to do anymore
if I should stand on my hands
or rock myself in the armchair
I ran to the mirror
to try and see my reflection
but to my surprise
my figure did not appear.
I came to the conclusion that
since everything is possible
I became see-through.
Twins
Today I was thinking about my sister
who God took from us
today she would turn 17
just like I am.
She was my twin sister
her a girl and me a boy.
Her eyes were blue
just like mine.
I miss you everyday
my heart is broken
and when I look up to the sky
looking for the reason it happened
I see your face reflected
among cotton clouds.
A Poem About Alzheimer's
Don't ask me to remember
Don't try to make me understand
Let me rest
Let me know you are with me
Hug my neck and take my hand
I am sad, sick, and lost
The only thing I know,
Is that I need you.
Don't lose your patience with me
Don't swear, don't scream, don't cry
I can't do anything about what is happening to me
Even if I try to change
I won't succeed
Remember that I need you
That the best part of me is already gone
Don't abandon me, stay by my side
Love me until the end of my life.
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