Artists never retire, they just move on. Ceramic artist and teacher, Merinda J. Dunsmore moved on to become
a caregiver in 2019. 

 

On orders from her doctor, she joined caregiver groups, both in person and on line. The world of caregivers with its joys and jangles was an amazement.

Influenced by so many stories from caregivers, she began to wonder about a long life, caring and dying. Dylan Thomas’s poem, “Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night” seemed wrong. She rewrote “Good Night” to reflect the realities of really old age and dying. That was the beginning of a flow of verses about old age, and the reality of caregiving.

Merinda J. Dunsmore lives in Maryland with her husband and their dog, Pogo.