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Museum of Memories

In the cold draft of an empty morning,
I sit widowed, engrossed in scattered thoughts,
confused by tawny tunes of ticking time,
knitting vague colors of changing seasons.

In silence, my name remains forgotten,
mere memory in an old museum.
But when I feel the golden rays of sun-
that drapes my winter heart in honeyed glints,
I trace truth between these wrinkled life lines.
For mind spirals in a web of chaos,
tangled amidst sharpened needles in grey.

I sing special songs to my healing plants;
reflective remedy to blurred flashbacks.
I water them with bleeding tears of angst,
and watch them thrive in my glass window.
Whilst I struggle to remember my past,
where my soul danced to daffodil daydreams,
when my kin ran in circles around me.

Fern greens, only familiarity,
Alzheimer's, now my sad reality.

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Paula Goldsmith Date: 10/22/2023 10:39:00 AM Back with Congratulations on your win. A wonderful yet sad write/story. Have a blessed day writing away.......... Login to Reply

Hilo Poet Date: 10/21/2023 9:32:00 PM Ink Empress, for me, yours did hit home. Mom's at rest now, but it left me to ponder those haunting short years of just being a presence. A few days before she passed, I was her son once again. I'm a bit teary, but my compliments, my friend! Aloha, William, who's back in Hilo, HI., with Mom up the hill overlooking the town. A son will be along shortly--love to you always, Mom! Thank you, Ink Empress, for your wonderful tribute recognizing Alzheimer's effects and the affected. Mahalo! Login to Reply

Silent One Date: 10/21/2023 8:34:00 AM I knew this would be a winner.. Congratulations on your win.. Login to Reply

Eve Roper Date: 10/21/2023 7:38:00 AM Dear I.E. I love the imagery and feeling you've woven in your poem. Alzheimers is not a pretty thing to see on a senior, where looks of blankness lingers. Thank you for taking part in the contest. Congratulations on your win. God bless Login to Reply

Sotto Poet Date: 10/21/2023 5:51:00 AM Dear Ink. Your literary rendition of this lovely sight is breathtaking. It's wonderful that you were able to capture the original artwork's subtle moods and precise skill. You've built an enticing and spanning setting with just a few sentences that will stay with the reader. Please accept my heartfelt congratulations on your well-deserved win Login to Reply

Andrew John Date: 10/18/2023 6:15:00 AM Forgetting! Forgetting! Forgetting! Terrible! But it happens to some people, and we must extend our sympathy if we can. Thanks for this poem. Login to Reply

Valsa George Date: 10/18/2023 4:34:00 AM "I water them with bleeding tears of angst, and watch them thrive in my glass window. Whilst I struggle to remember my past," I am sure she must be in the first phase of Alzheimers. At least this much she can remember. As it progresses, she will forget who she is. It is the most painful condition one can ever face. Empress, your facile pen has etched their dark world in all its dankness and gruesome complexity! You have a Mida's touch. Whatever you touch will be turned into gold. I was drawn into this poem seeing the title.The title and the content are equally mind boggling! Insanity, depression and alzheimers, these three, I dread more than death. On reading your poem, I can feel the depth of empathy you have for them. So powerful is your diction, dear Empress. All the Best. Login to Reply Ink Empress Date: 10/18/2023 7:22:00 AM Your comments are like a gift to my soul, truly you read with your heart and feel so much of what i convey through words and your comments are always so sincere and so honest which gives me so much pleasure just reading your comments! Thank you dear I appreciate you so very much

Juliet Ligon Date: 10/17/2023 2:11:00 PM Creative title, fitting for what follows, a journey inside the mind of one with Alzheimer's disease. Great poetic details about what it must be like. Login to Reply Ink Empress Date: 10/18/2023 7:20:00 AM Thank you so much for your thoughtful feedback, truly grateful,

Mari Lehtmets Date: 10/16/2023 9:22:00 PM beautiful, yet so sad... Login to Reply Ink Empress Date: 10/18/2023 7:20:00 AM Thank you so very much for reading

Paige Hind Date: 10/16/2023 3:36:00 PM Trees can carry that healing aura about them, and this showed the relation between the Alzheimer's and "ferns"- beautiful and emotive writing! Login to Reply Ink Empress Date: 10/18/2023 7:19:00 AM Awwn beautiful thank you so much truly for your kind and generous support

Sotto Poet Date: 10/16/2023 8:01:00 AM This poem deftly examines how Alzheimer's disease impacts a person's later years, diminishing memory and physical capacity. Your brilliant pen eloquently captures the vision and transmits its heart. Strong imagery and metaphors in the poem create a sad beauty that inspires empathy and human weakness. Dear Ink your attempt to shed light on this disease that transports individuals to dark regions is admirable. Blessings Login to Reply Ink Empress Date: 10/18/2023 7:19:00 AM Dear Sotto i am so grateful for your kind and generous support always thank you so very much

Victor Buhagiar Date: 10/15/2023 2:57:00 AM Hope this is fiction. Loss of memory is terrible. My wife suffered from it for five years until she got a heart block and died. Death was a relief. I tremble when I hear others have such illnesses. Blessings. Login to Reply Ink Empress Date: 10/15/2023 10:44:00 PM Dear Victor Im sorry for all that you must have endured and faced, i can only imagine. Thank you for reading and leaving your experience. And this isnt abt me, it is for a picture prompt contest. And im also raising awareness in this challenging disease

Fading Star Silence Date: 10/15/2023 12:45:00 AM You have truly done Justice to your amazing piece..I thank you for being such a voice in such a way making this devastating illness, portraying the beauty of their minds and what they will forever remember..beautiful memories forever engraved in their minds.. Login to Reply

Fading Star Silence Date: 10/15/2023 12:43:00 AM Ahhh..this piece touches my heart so deeply..I also have someone I feel may have this..at least the beginning stages and I love how you’ve depicted such raw realness in this ethereal poem..the raw truth, the depth in your piece, the compassion and beauty you have graced us with..it truly brings tears to my eyes reading this, my beautiful soul sis..I’m literally in tears for how hauntingly beautiful this is..you are a true angel, speaking such topics in such a way pulls at my heartstrings. Login to Reply Ink Empress Date: 10/15/2023 10:46:00 PM Awwn my beautiful soul sis, i am so sorry that you are in tears, and i know im so sorry you think they have this too, it must be so hard for you my beautiful soul sis! You are such a strong person really! You inspire me to remain strong too! Seeing your strength etc! Thank you for reading n for leaving your heartfelt feedback im forever grateful

Hilda Greenhough Date: 10/14/2023 5:25:00 PM Thank you for portrayng this terrible disease. Your poem certainly touches a lot of people. My husband went through 8 years of dependence on others. Login to Reply Ink Empress Date: 10/15/2023 10:47:00 PM Im so sorry to hear that, that must hav been so challenging for you, i feel you. Appreciate you sharing your experience and thoughts too thank you so much

The Situation Date: 10/14/2023 4:34:00 PM It's in my family. I deal with it. Login to Reply Ink Empress Date: 10/15/2023 10:49:00 PM Sorry to hear that, it definitely is a challenging one to deal with

Bill Baker Date: 10/14/2023 2:46:00 PM Your imagery painted an accurate picture of a person with Alzheimer's, Inky. Suck strong people with great accomplishment are left in a prison of lost memories. Not even knowing close friends or loved ones except in flashes of coherency. Thanks for brings this crippling disease to our attentions and once again showing a heart full of compassion for others. Smiles and blessings my dear friend. Thanks for sharing from that beautiful heart of yours. A FAV for my list. Hugs, Bill Login to Reply Ink Empress Date: 10/15/2023 10:55:00 PM Yes i have a family relative with alzheimers, sadly he doesnt know faces or people sometimes, he gets confused, but i just talk normal since i dont ever want them to feel embarrassed sigh. Thank you so very much for the fave and understanding of my poem and your feedback truly grateful

Paula Goldsmith Date: 10/14/2023 2:06:00 PM Your "Museum Of Memories" is a wonderful/powerful story/write. "Love It" I have 2 very dear friends with it. So Sad... Have a blessed weekend.......... Login to Reply Ink Empress Date: 10/15/2023 11:03:00 PM I am so sorry to hear about your two friends having this, must be so hard to see them having it. I thank you for sharing your experience and also thoughts. Grateful

Vijay Pandit Date: 10/14/2023 1:53:00 PM So poignant, yet true to real life. Kudos, Ink, for highlighting this disease that takes people to dark places --far away from reality. Login to Reply Ink Empress Date: 10/15/2023 11:03:00 PM Thank you so very much dear kind Vijay! You are so sincere and so very supportive, i am forever grateful

Karen Jones Date: 10/14/2023 1:19:00 PM Beautiful tribute to those loved ones who suffered with this disease. I had a grannie who had dementia. It is important to advocate as you do and to love them to life despite the darkness and doom. Great job beautiful soul. Best wishes in the contest! Love and Light to you. Login to Reply Ink Empress Date: 10/15/2023 11:29:00 PM Dementia is so similar and hard too. I should do a poem on dementia . Yes they are so vulnerable and its so sad really seeing them lose memory and thinking skills. Thank u so much for reading

Evelyn Judy Buehler Date: 10/14/2023 12:27:00 PM This sad, well composed poem, vividly portrays the havoc wreaked upon the mind by Alzheimer's. Love line, 'where my soul danced to daffodil daydreams' A fine contest contender. Login to Reply Ink Empress Date: 10/15/2023 11:31:00 PM Thank you so very much for your kind feedback.

Anne-Lise Andresen Date: 10/14/2023 12:14:00 PM -"struggle to remember past" ... a really cruel disease, Alzheimer's - ... "in a web of chaos" - In my profession as a nurse I know what this means for the sufferer and their family ... it affects everyone around the person with this disease ... even neighbors - For me a deeply moving poem ... excellently written :) - Best wishes in the contest :) - Have a lovely weekend, Ink :) - hugs Login to Reply Ink Empress Date: 10/15/2023 11:33:00 PM Beautiful and talented nurse you are. Yes its hard for not jus the individual but loved ones etc . Sad sad n cruel disease. Thank you so much for reading n your well wishes truly grateful

The Aura Rhymes Date: 10/14/2023 11:56:00 AM Very sensitive poem… good one as always … Login to Reply Ink Empress Date: 10/18/2023 7:17:00 AM Thank u so much

Susan Ashley Date: 10/14/2023 11:17:00 AM Dear Empress, your golden pen shines in describing the plight of someone in their elder years, their life tarnished by the loss of memory and physical function with the progression of Alzheimer’s disease. An intimate pensive portrayal capturing the essence of the pic chosen. Your exquisite imagery and metaphors brings poignant beauty, empathy and humanity to this potent piece. “My soul danced to daffodil daydreams, when my kin ran in circles around me” - a verse that is both heartwarming and heartbreaking! Warmest wishes dear poetess and sweet friend.. ~Susan Login to Reply Ink Empress Date: 10/18/2023 7:18:00 AM Wow this means so much to me your heartfelt and encouraging feedback truly made my heart warm, as its coming from such a talented poet like you, truly i am grateful and i am blessed to have such mindful and soulful readers like you, appreciate your generous visit

Lioness Onpaper Date: 10/14/2023 11:12:00 AM tawny tunes of ticking time,.. mmm the alliteration!! In silence, my name remains forgotten, mere memory in an old museum… trace truth between these wrinkled life lines...ooo the depth !!! Damn heavy !!! Ooo that ending just gave me chills.. how the emotions in this piece just takes u to such a realm of reality !!! Alzheimer's, now my sad reality. Login to Reply