Grandma's Piano

A poem about Alzheimer's Disease

Arthritic fingers rest gently on keys

Recollecting long ago movements

Across black and white.

Fingers stretch, knobby knuckles crack.

Brain, with tangled ganglia,

Makes fingers move again.

Neuron pathways formed and since forgotten

Light up and dust off some Bach.

 

For a moment . . .

She remembers who she was.

Chintz curtains filtering sunlight

As she played an old upright in the parlor

Through years of smiles and tears endured

While some Nazi told her to move or to stay.

She can see me . . .

 

As bumpy fingers depress keys

Eyes glaze

And she is gone again.

Alone

With ganglia which have long betrayed her,

As Bach does now.

Fingers crank into stillness

Until the next time.

Reviews

[TawnyBlueStar]

hi,
this is a great piece :)
love it

[Little Birdie]

Stunningly beautiful.

[EMMIE]

I AM SO MOVED BY THIS BRILLIANT PIECE OF ART. I LOVE THE VOCABULARY, I LOVE THE STYLE, I LOVE HOW PERSONAL IT IS, I LOVE THE PASSION FOR THE INSTRUMENT...I COULD GO ON AND AND ON. THIS IS ONE OF MY FAVORITE POEMS I HAVE EVER READ. JUST BEAUTIFUL. I HAVE TO SHARE THIS.

[Rene Velez]

Absolutely stunning piece of writing...this is being Favorited today, just amazing, what a gem. I know someone losing the battle so this really hits home.

[FJ Davis]

At a time in your grandmother's life when practically all she would have to enjoy is a few treasured memories, this dear woman is deprived of even these--and the Nazi curse was also something she'd been forced to endure. Such staggering tragedy!
Standing in starkest contrast to these real-life horrors are the sheer beauty, hard-won perceptions and profound sensitivity of your poem.
"Grandma's Piano" is a work of art. But I must tell you, Audrey, reading it broke my heart.

[Laughing-Bear]

My Dear Writing Friend,
You painted a word mosaic that burned a picture into my pneuma, an excellent poem. I was moved deeply by this write.

Blessings, Laughing-Bear

[Larry Dyson]

absolutely My Mom at this stage in her alzheimers life time...

[Barry S. Maltese]

There will always be something that we can hold onto, and connects us with our youth - this way we will never grow old at heart. . . . Your portrayal of Grandma does honor and respect to what she was, and remains to be in her sweetest memories. Someday when she must return to the arms of our maker she will live on in the memory that you have so eloquently painted here. Your poem was beautifully written, and very enjoyable. Thank you for sharing it.

[Aidz]

Breathless this left me... well done Audrey told a story that moved in time

[Robin]

is there anything more saddening than watching the music die .. these words are draped in heartbreak