Suitcase of Memories

My darling, you've lost the power of speech But your smiles and laughter need no interpretation! All I have are memories; some hazy, some clear Is it crazy that I can't remember what your voice sound like? You would talk to anyone and everyone! You'd brighten the day of the street cleaner And put the lower deck of the bus under your spell The atmosphere would change from silence to laughter Helplessly infected by your rich sense of humour It breaks my heart that you don't know who I am The one who played a major part in your life Sometimes, we'd sit for ages and not verbalise But as our eyes locked, a thousand visual words would spill No need to ask for translation Our thoughts and emotions laid bare Now, when I start to sing your favourite songs Your eyebrows rise in faint rememberance But it should be me that you recognise! I talk to you as if you'd understand As I've no idea what your brain does know A smell, a sound might just open your door Bring a light to your darkened, tangled world There are times when you give warm, tender kisses I never want to part my lips from yours! Then you go and breathe hot, sweet breath into my mouth That tells me, "I do love you, darling, I do!" Then there are the moments when you gently hold my hand I'm reluctant to wash it after that! It speaks of an unbreakable, unmistakeable bond Of journeys through joy and sorrow I need those arms of yours around me once again Telling me our love is strong I need your squeeze of the shoulders once more And your reassuring, "It's alright, Pet" But in the end, a pair of wooden arms Drape around my back Devoid of feeling; of heart and soul Instead of those reassuring words I hear a feeble, "rararara" Your chest like a rumbling lawnmower Black, empty eyes ask, "Who are you?" Oh this Alzheimer's has taken you captive! So I must cherish these precious moments And make room in my suitcase for happy times Preserved forever, to bring out a smile