The time zone had collapsed
And I forgot my lines
I really felt messed up
Skirting the borderline
Where Babel's shadow loomed
Like a call in distress
And solid ground gave way
To the thought of egress
Touchstones became moments
And reasons left to grasp
As glaciers were melting
Each bookmark of my past
I wanted soft pillow
To lay my weary head
So dreams could consume me
In the gray days ahead
Now and then a vision
A reflection that grinds
Out dust of images
That once had caused a smile
Yes I do remember
But the wind shakes the tree
Thank you for your kindness
Whomever you might be
Times that we're together
Are growing far apart
So sorry its goodbye
As Babel broke our heart


Comments: 48
I particularly like the last two stanzas, as they bring home the point with the wonderful metaphor of the shaking tree.
Very enjoyable.
Blessings and best wishes - S.
OK it may be about Alzheimers but it describes the breaking down of a relationship to a T.
This is an important poem for you. It's so real, so lucid and so poetic. It's a masrepiece.
Bravo Bill. You're doing more than learning...you're soaring.
Whomever you might be"
You must have some first hand knowledge of Alzheimer's. My mother had it for many years before dying in 2005. She could easily have thought that.
I can clearly remember the last time she actually said my name; it was in Sept of 03'. A friend and I had taken her to Manito Park to see the flowers and also had taken my 8 month old grandson. The two of them were sitting in the back seat of the car on the way home and she started singing him her own lullaby. She didn't usually put a lot of words together by that time, but in singing to a baby she could. He finally fell asleep and she said, "Wilma, I sang him to sleep." It's a precious memory to me. She never said my name again.
Good thing there are a lot of us who really do love you to help offset the DB.
(and I forgot my lines) (times that we're together)(are growing far apart)
this all told me about my time with one of my Aunts. This was so real to
me what was happening in this poem. Thank you.
Babel is a good word to describe my approaching shift at work. We hear a lot of that! Sometimes from the doctors, sometimes from the families and sometimes from our coworkers. Usually the patients are the only sane people there!!