Where ae you,
sweet Barbara?
Where have you gone?
You were from Chicago,
a long time ago.
You taught in London,
teaching English Composition.
You said your husband was
an artist. You spoke German
when we first met.
I enjoyed our conversations,
at dinner, with my wife.
You were a lovely person,
with a sharp wit. I will never
forget our conversations.
You are gone from the residence
but I will never forget our conversations.

Words,
the most powerful
of each day.
Words can make life easier.
Words can take pain away.
Words can be hurtful,
so be careful what you say.
Be kind to one another,
for you know not what occurs
in another's life or action.
Be a blessing not a curse.

Pleasing the weather,
we had yesterday.
A need for more moisture,
as the rain stays away.

Meeting the people,
learning to paint.
A slow pupil, I am,
a painter I ain't.

Here I sit alone,
thoughts getting hazy.
I am in the room,
where I'm borderline crazy.

Conversations surround me,
mostly short and inane,
causing me to ask,
"Am I now going insane?"

So many days and nights
running together, all week.
Certainly not the place
for the mentally weak.

The hall monitor
is on patrol.
She sees everything,
missing nothing at all.

I awake and
find you gone.
Know not where,
now I'm alone.

Alone is not what
I want to be.
I simply need
you here with me.

Rain has fallen,
all around,
wetting leaves,
wetting ground.

A simple verse,
nice to hear,
especially now,
when you're near.

You are my light,
who I adore.
I love you so,
you love me more.

Withdraw the sword
from your sheath,
removing the source
of your old grief.

Hold on to the love,
which you once had,
be strong now,
don't be sad.

It matters not,
the reason why,
young and old
have to die.

There are always,
reasons which try
explaining about
who must die.

I currently reside with my wife at a facility
for Memory Care. She has advanced Alzheimer
Disease.
This was a new event for me.
My beloved doesn't like certain foods and sometime
they are served in this "mess hall" type of food
distribution for meals.
My first task after she is served is to remove those
food items which I know she won't eat.
I was doing this, with the pickled beets placed
upon her plate. A older gentleman, I will call him
that although he is usually not, came to our table
and said, "Why are you stealing this woman's food?"
I replied with, "It's none of your business, please
leave." He started to lunge at me with a clenched
fist but was restrained by the staff who saw him
on the move, from several tables away.
I just sat there and told him this was my wife.
Just another day in a place where most of the
residents are dealing with memory issues.
Those residents who I talk with during the day
are kind, considerate but have loss of memory
issues. All is well in Memory Care Land.

You are only slowed
on your life's journey
by the obstacles you
put in your own way.