I'm certain there's a Fairy
A true Alzheimer's gnome
That has crept into our household
And sabotaged our home.
She's the evil one that empties
All the contents of your drawers
Making little stacks of clothing
In the midst of all the floors.
She's the one who hides my car keys,
My glasses and my money
In places so creative
They'd surprise the Easter Bunny.
Last week when I was missing
Every knife and fork and spoon
I searched for hours before
I found them hidden in your room.
When I ask you, you deny it
And in an effort to refute,
You blame that little Pixie
Of such questionable repute.
"I didn't do it!" you will say,
"How could you be misled
Into thinking it was ME that
Hid the food beneath my bed?"
When I found that little puddle
You didn't think that it was fair
That I accused you so unjustly
When you weren't even there.
Well, old girl, you've convinced me
That such a fairy Does exist
'Cause you just haven't had the time
To hide the things I've missed!
Steven C. Stoker 1998
Reflection
I see you across the room
Locked safely into your gerry chair
And chewing frantically -
As if there were something in your mouth.
You clap your hands with gusto
As if you were part of an unseen audience -
Then cry with melancholy sobs at the sadness
Of a show no one else can see.
Later, you chat happily in a language
That no one can understand
Except your only friend - the image of yourself
Reflected in the fish tank across the room.
Tonight, when the fatigue of your reality
Reaches its highest level,
You'll slap your forehead over and over again
As if to dislodge your demon before you sleep.
I see you across the room
Locked safely into your gerry chair -
And I resent your Alzheimer's
And what it has done to the rest of our lives.
