Kelly Cherry Alzheimer's Poem Theme

Lost in Yourself Alzheimer’s is a disease that destroys someone’s memories and thinking skills. In the poem, “Alzheimer’s” by Kelly Cherry, the author is describing an experience she had with her elderly father who has Alzheimer’s. With struggles shown throughout the poem, it is evident to see that a life with Alzheimer’s is not one that is desired. Time is inevitable, but what matters the most is how that time is spent. Cherish the little moments in life because nothing is as it was previously and will never be the same again. One way to determine the theme of the poem “Alzheimer’s” is to understand the tone of the author throughout the poem. There is a combination of frustration and sympathy expressed within the poem. The author feels frustration at watching her father suffer from the mentally degrading disease, yet sympathetic because it’s not anyone’s fault. There are times when her …show more content…
There is grief, frustration, anger, and even some disbelief at what the disease is doing to this person that she loves so dearly. Compassion and sadness are evident by watching her father lose all the memories of the people he loved profoundly for so many years. This infirmity was not his fault, but merely the flaw God created him with. It almost seems as though the author was questioning the entire situation. How can a disease take away so much from someone? How can a disease erase years’ worth of memories? How can a disease make someone forget their family and friends? The toll taken on the author and her family was heavy, but the toll taken on her father was undoubtedly substantial. Alzheimer’s is only one among an uncountable number of setbacks that can happen in life, but it is how one overcomes the deterrent in their life that truly matters. Cherish the little moments in life because nothing is as it was previously and will never be the same