Black Paintings

A poem about my grandmother who has Alzheimer's Disease.

Staring at a picture on the wall
She tries to remember where it came from
But she doesn't recognize it at all
On the bottom there is writing
That says Happy Birthday Grandma
She just stands there thinking
Why is this in my house?

Day after day
Memorty after memory
It's just another painting covered in black
Another painting that can't be brought back

Staring at some dried flowers
She can't remeber who gave them to her
A memory comes of her only granddaughter
But stops when she has come to realize
She doesn't know where she's at anymore

She looks at the man
She is supposed to love
There's a broken fan
In another room
The paint is chipping from the walls
There's a dead mouse across the hall
She wonders where am I?
And who is this guy
Who says he's my husband?

Day after day
Memory after memory
It's just another painting covered in black
Another painting that can't be brought back