Life’s Memories Forgotten
Life’s Memories Forgotten
You gazed at me in a strange way one day,
It made me feel odd, out of time and place,
Like something I put in a box to save for
Another day, then forgot why I saved it.
For just a moment I questioned who I was,
What we are to each other, why we are.
Then you gave me that beautiful smile
I so love, with the twinkle in your eye
That tells me you have an idea
Which will keep us busy for awhile,
Alone in our place of solace and love,
Where we will linger all afternoon.
We picnicked at our favorite park yesterday
Where that secluded place under the Oak
Make us feel we are the only two in the world.
We dozed off on the blanket, sweet dreams,
On a lazy sunny day, sounds of birds above.
When we awoke you asked where we were,
And how did we get here so fast.
Again I felt displaced, jarred out of myself,
As if I was yanked away from our life.
I felt a sense of fear, like a frightened
Little girl suddenly alone and confused.
My heart, my breath, the world seemed to stop.
This has happened many times now, I fear,
Will our whole life’s memories be forgotten?
I fixed your favorite dinner last night,
The one you often ask me to cook for you,
You did not eat, said you did not like it,
And would not eat your dessert, for
You were too tired to eat anything.
I gave you a card and gift wrapped nicely,
You asked what was the occasion.
Our anniversary, you forgot, I teased.
“I did not know,” you said. “How long?”
Forty-three years now. Wonderful years.
You were surprised we were that old.
You could not find the bedroom later.
I am so afraid, oh please, please don’t let
Our life’s memories fade away.
This morning I called Mark and Sue over,
You would not get out of bed, were afraid,
Disoriented and shaking uncontrollably.
We took you in to hospital emergency,
Our doctor met us there, spent so much time
With you as we waited, forever it seemed.
I tried to understand, what is wrong,
So many years, so close and so in love,
I wanted your strength, your arms around me,
To tell me all is well, it will be alright.
“Sandy, you can go see Jim now,” Doctor said,
And hugged me, “But, he may not know you.”
~~~
Alzheimer’s disease is irreversible. It is a progressive brain disorder that slowly destroys memory and thinking skills. It is important to educate ourselves on this disease that devastates the patient and their loved ones. Learn more at Alzheimer’s Disease Education and Referral Center.
~~~
© 2017 Phyllis Doyle Burns
I have always liked to write.It is important to me that writing comes from my heart and soul. When writing poetry, if I do not feel a spiritual connection to what I am writing on, I will discard it and go on to something I can connect with on a spiritual level. I live in the moment, I write from the past or beyond the veil. When writing fiction I go with whatever inspires me at the moment - it could be funny, sorrowful, romantic or sometimes done with the use of colloquial language from mountain folk or other cultural regions.
I began writing content online in 2007, starting with BellaOnline - A Voice For Women, where I was the Native American Editor, Folklore & Mythology Editor, and the Appalachian Editor. I also wrote articles forThe Examiner, Daily Two Cents, and Yahoo. I am currently an author on HubPages.
Most of what I write takes a lot of research and I love it. Even if it is a fictional story, I will research for accuracy in whatever it takes to make my characters, their era, their location, etc. become realistic to the reader.
I hope you enjoy my works. Thank you for visiting.
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Ive got phone connection this moment. Not always available. Very sad Phyllis and so well written and expressed with so much emotion. Tis a sad plight for a couple. Beautifully treated and heart warming in its rendering. X
Thank you, Tony, for such a kind comment. I had a beloved Aunt who had Alzheimer’s Disease and it devastated her whole family, changed her so completely. Yes, tis a sad plight. Nice you got phone connection, so good to hear from you here. You are greatly missed. X
This is a subject which has touched my family more than you will ever know, my Mom had Alzheimer’s Disease years before she died and my sister who is in her mid 60’s now has it. It seems to touch the women in my family and I have personally seen the heartache that is associated with it. Lovely piece Phyllis.
Thank you so much, Kurt. Alzheimer’s Disease is a heartbreaking experience to go through. So sorry to hear about your Mom and sister. Take care and many blessings to you.
My God,to forget the ones ive loved what an awful fate. I have been close to this debilitating disease a few times and the scenary is gutwrenching and heartbreaking. You portrayed it very well here Phyllis. Nice piece.~Paul
Thank you very much, Paul. Yes, it would be gutwrenching for sure. I do not fully grasp where a person’s mind goes with this disease, but I do know it is devastating to all involved. Did you see the movie ‘Notebook’ with James Garner and Gina Rawlins? It is heartbreaking, for it is very accurate on the symptoms of Alzheimers.
Excellent movie.
So heart wrenching this write is dear Phyllis..My grandfather was beginning to show signs of Alzheimer’s before he passed away and it was quite painful to see him not being able to recognize our closest relatives..it is such a cruel disease that steals away your memories and identity..you have captured the pain so well here..thank you for sharing and have a lovely day!
Thank you very much, Anjana. I appreciate your comment. Alzheimer’s is a cruel disease and such a sad thing to experience. Have a wonderful day, my friend.
This was extremely touching, Phyllis. Your poem perfectly described the unfortunate condition of Alzheimer’s disease and how it can progress so quickly.
John, thank you very much.
The emotions and the fear are expressed well in you poem Phyllis. It is a most frightening thing especially for loving couples as the years go by.
Hi Rasma. Yes it is a most frightening thing to go through, so sad to lose memories of a life time. Thank you so much for reading and commenting, I appreciate it Rasma.