Remembering

Sometimes its sad...

He could fish…he knew he could remember how to do that

But he couldn’t recall the reflection of the ceiling fan in her watery brown eyes

Or the way she liked him sweaty during sex, head and shoulders, knees and toes

She called him Frank when she came to visit, he had no memory of Frank

But at that moment she smelled like vanilla and kissed his neck, plate of snicker doodles

For now, he was Frank at least for one more warm kiss, familiar

He could fish…if he could just remember where he put his damn fishing poles

Maybe they were in the truck, where was his truck, he needed his keys

The bird on the sill asked him to play cards, maybe he could play cards

Where were his cards, maybe in his other pants, maybe someone stole them

There was no room in his head for two thoughts, when one entered, the other dripped

The intellectual playground too full to play kickball, we should sit on the steps

He could fish…the shores of the lake lapped beside his hospital bed nightly

But he didn’t have the right kind of bait and he needed his shirt or he would burn

A mermaid swam to him and sang beside his bed and he asked about his poles

She kissed him and gave him rum and went to look, he floated on lily pads

On shore he talked with the great blue heron, the bird looked sternly at him

You can fish, he said, I know you can, but where are your fishing poles?    

Author's Note

Time can take its toll...

Reviews

[barleygirl]

Many times I tell newer writers to use more detail & don't dwell in generalities. This poem is the poster child for how using lots of distinct details makes writing come alive. The reader can picture what's going on & this is SHOW without any telling. It's easy to know what your message is, tho, becuz you have woven together a tapestry of details from real life. Themes of affection & acceptance are evident (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Annette Pisano-Higley]

This gently and irrevocably sad poetic portrait rings so true Crowley. All that we are, all our memories and dreams- can be gone in an instant. You paint it so poignantly and too well...Frank in his hospital bed- the light in his eyes flickers on and off- senses, fragrances, soft kisses remind him of his ‘ago’ for only the briefest of precious
moments. His search for his fishing poles is unending, and so his question repeats, repeats, repeats-brilliant depiction of bitter symptoms. I have tears as I read your deeply moving write. My Mother had Alzheimer’s disease- such an indidious and cruel affliction. Your last verse is lovely lyrical magic- the altered reality Frank is lost in...his visions, a mermaid and great blue heron- neither can heal him. “The shores of the lake lapped beside his hospital bed nightly”- may they bring him peace. Master-Class work my friend.

[Crowley]

Thank you so much. Had to go through this with quite a few loved ones. Gotta learn to play in their sandbox.

[Chris Shaw]

Alzheimer's is a dreadful disease' and to watch a loved one on that journey must be hell. Even more so for the patient, who must be in a state of confusion and frustration with everything. Only small pockets of memories left and everything else wiped out. There must be a lot of tears, a river of tears on both sides. Not being able to recognise or remember loved ones, how cruel is that? You have conveyed many emotions in your lines, which get through to your readers, in this realistic and touching write. Well done.

Chris

[Crowley]

thanks, it is horrible.

[Chris Shaw]

It is a cruel disease.

[Crowley]

My mother in law, whom I had known for less than six months , locked her husband out because she thought he was running gangs and prostitutes out or her house. she wouldn't let my wife in or him, but would only let me in and let me take her to the hospital. Not sure if it was because I played in her sandbox and they were just frustrated or what. Strange what happens with that stuff.

[Chris Shaw]

How tragic. It is devastating for the family as well as the sufferer. Dreadful thing for you all to cope with.

[Crowley]

Thank you so much!!!! You are too kind!

[AYVID N]

I agree with Kelly! This is awesome poetry. Applause!

[Crowley]

Thank you for the review!!!

[Kelly Scheppers]

This is absolutely extraordinary! I think I just swallowed my gum. Wow, Crowley...wow!

[Crowley]

I wrote this with that very thing in mind....I want to make Kelly swallow her gum...lol. Thanks for the awesome review!!!

[Onlyme]

How memory fades with time bit glimmers of golden moments still linger on to comfort the broken soul.

[Crowley]

Thanks Dee!!! And yes it sure does.

[Gypsy Warrior Queen]

Where oh where does this brilliance come from? There is so much with these riddled thoughts...there is so much in this riddled life...Of course the first verse is my favorite...maybe you ll be Frank the singing Sage!lol

[Crowley]

Alzheimer's sucks...but I truly wonder how they feel inside...