Once Upon a Time Poems

All She Asks for

For an aunt with Alzheimer’s

The holiday for peace,
love, and joy,
flourishing in uncertainty,
as Aunt Janice sits rocking,
incomprehensive of cousin Henry’s relief
of her survival,
after walking into the waves
one late November night.

No more does she take notice
of complicated things, the oldies,
even Chad and Jeremy’s crooning,
“They say that all good things must end some day
Autumn leaves must fall
But don't you know that it hurts me so
To say goodbye to you...”

Her grasp misses quaint customs,
ours, as well as hers,
such as offering eggnog to strangers,
singing carols at midnight,
and on Christmas morning,
walking along the docks, the marina,
and old houses with dormers
while a hazy sunshine
glistens the faces
of rocks.

Nothing is sure now;
in this seaside town, only the honor exists
of subliminal whispers and long-ago feelings.
The age of ice has solidified the mind,
erasing information,
with veils of snow covering her foundation
and memory.

But, what if clouds hide the sky
and permanence is impossible to guarantee?
All Aunt Janice asks for
is a candy bar
and a glimpse of the ocean
from her window.
That simple!