Watching Grandma Dancing

I still remember the smell of lilacs,
as we would walk down a sun dappled street.
Everything seemed so vibrant being there with her.
Perhaps she enjoyed seeing the world through my eyes.

As we would walk down a sun dappled street,
I didn't know, her mind was trapped in a pitch black room!
Perhaps she enjoyed seeing the world through my eyes,
for I was an innocent and happy little child

I didn't know, her mind was trapped in a pitch black room.
From me she tried her best to shield her sadness,
For I was an innocent and happy little child.
Still, children grow up and secrets are revealed.

From me she tried her best to shield her sadness.
Smiles that she smiled were a gift gifted to me.
Still, children grow up and secrets are revealed.
Those burdens she should never have carried on her own!

Smiles that she smiled were a gift gifted to me!
Her mind was given rest when the Alzheimers came.
Those burdens she should never have carried on her own
She finally was happy, I could see it in her dancing

Her mind was given rest when the Alzheimers came.
I still remember the smell of lilacs.
She finally was happy, I could see it in her dancing.
Everything seemed so vibrant being there with her!



Written December 16, 2015 

Smell of lilacs
Pitch black room
Dancing
Copyright © | Year Posted 2015


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Date: 3/7/2016 11:39:00 PM
Real sweet story about grandma. I have a friend who told me stories about her late grandma that had Alzheimer's ... I didn't know whether to laugh or cry, as she was just like a little child ... sitting cross-legged on the floor watching him play video-games ... or spitting in his shoe.
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Date: 1/12/2016 11:41:00 AM
Amazing the excellence that can come from three phrases..Congrats on your winning phrases..Sara
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Date: 1/12/2016 8:18:00 AM
Congratulations Richard for winning in the combination of 3 words contest! You deserve the win! :) -hans
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Richard Lamoureux
Date: 1/12/2016 8:43:00 AM
Thanks Hanstevan.
Date: 1/10/2016 11:07:00 PM
Hi Richard, Congratulations on your win. Always ~LINDA~ .
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Richard Lamoureux
Date: 1/12/2016 8:44:00 AM
Thanks Linda.
Date: 1/9/2016 6:17:00 AM
What a lovely poetry form I'll be trying soon! Thanks for sharing your Grandma with us. Congrats on contest win also. 7
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Richard Lamoureux
Date: 1/9/2016 7:32:00 AM
Let me know when you do, I would love to read it. Thanks for the visit.
Date: 1/4/2016 10:19:00 AM
RICHARD, CONGRATS on your "Combination of Three Words WIN!" *SKAT*
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Richard Lamoureux
Date: 1/9/2016 7:33:00 AM
Thanks SKAT.
Date: 1/3/2016 12:44:00 PM
I see alzhiemers from a different perspective now! Credit goes to you, Richard! Congrats!
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Richard Lamoureux
Date: 1/3/2016 7:00:00 PM
What a great comment, thanks Balveen!
Date: 1/3/2016 11:05:00 AM
Richard, this moved me about your grandma..so beautiful..thank you for your participation in my contest! :)-luloo
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Richard Lamoureux
Date: 1/3/2016 7:01:00 PM
I am honoured you chose this one, thanks Laura Loo.
Date: 12/21/2015 9:41:00 AM
Very moving and emotional, Richard, and so wonderful are the memories of your dear Grandma. All the best for the contest. Sandra
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Richard Lamoureux
Date: 1/3/2016 7:02:00 PM
Sorry for the late response, thanks Sandra.
Date: 12/19/2015 2:06:00 PM
This is touching and sentimental; a delight to read. Grown-ups have a way of shielding young ones from their problems and worries! ~ Regards // paul
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Richard Lamoureux
Date: 1/3/2016 7:04:00 PM
Thanks Paul, sorry I missed your visit.
Date: 12/19/2015 10:26:00 AM
A sentimentally profound poem that leaves its mark upon the heart and mind of the reader. Excellent dear, Richard! Merry Christmas my friend!
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Richard Lamoureux
Date: 12/19/2015 12:18:00 PM
Thanks Demetrios, much appreciated. We are heading to Vancouver for the holidays.
Date: 12/19/2015 10:17:00 AM
I must try this form. Lovely poem, Richard - very well done and so much emotion that took me to one of my Grandmothers. I'm touched ... CayCay
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Richard Lamoureux
Date: 12/19/2015 12:19:00 PM
Let me know when you do, I would love to read it.
Date: 12/19/2015 6:24:00 AM
- Lovely ....... dancing brings joy - I wish you a lovely and peaceful Christmas, Richard :) - hugs // Anne-Lise :)
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Richard Lamoureux
Date: 12/19/2015 8:18:00 AM
Thanks, same to you Anene Lise.
Date: 12/18/2015 10:54:00 PM
Moving and heartfelt write about your Grandma Richard. Nice entry for the contest.
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Richard Lamoureux
Date: 12/19/2015 1:08:00 AM
Thanks again Michael.;0)
Date: 12/18/2015 10:54:00 PM
Not only beautiful, but a story I can very much relate too! You have told it so well!
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Richard Lamoureux
Date: 12/19/2015 1:09:00 AM
This one is close to my heart. The hanks for your comment Arthur.
Date: 12/18/2015 4:42:00 PM
Beautiful poem adorned with sweet words. 7 sure. Good luck in the contest my lovely friend. Loved always,bl
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Richard Lamoureux
Date: 12/19/2015 1:09:00 AM
Thanks BL.
Date: 12/17/2015 7:54:00 PM
Superbly constructed and rendered... the smell of lilacs and your grandma dancing firmly etched in my brain. A sad yet delightful piece. Well done my friend! Best wishes, Keith
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Richard Lamoureux
Date: 12/17/2015 10:24:00 PM
Thanks Keith, a very thoughtful comment.
Date: 12/17/2015 4:01:00 PM
You are right Grandma was happiest when she was getting alzheimers. Her demons had left her and she was able to be her vibrant self. Good perception of her. Love Mom
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Richard Lamoureux
Date: 12/17/2015 10:25:00 PM
I'm glad we were able to see that more innocent part of her. I love you too!
Date: 12/17/2015 8:28:00 AM
Richard, great use of the form, this I haven't tried yet.. Lovely and heartfelt, love the first line and more as I read the succeeding stanzas... though lil sad at the end as I remember my grandma too, anyhow, HapPy HoliDays in adVance! smiles, Olive Eloisa=`)
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Richard Lamoureux
Date: 12/17/2015 9:24:00 AM
Merry Christmas to you as well Olive. Thanks for visiting.
Date: 12/16/2015 3:57:00 PM
Lovely.....absolutely lovely....wherever I am, Richard, I'll always come back to read you...I'll soupmail you tomorrow. Thanks for checking on me. Hugs
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Richard Lamoureux
Date: 12/16/2015 5:42:00 PM
Hugs back to you. My grandma had been abused and carried the burden of that for many years. The residual affect carried onto my dad. Hugs back to you Eileen.
Date: 12/16/2015 3:10:00 PM
Mr Richard, a beautiful one showcasing the love and devotion of a grandma, makes me remember mine.. she is gone now.. but she was a blessing and still is a blessing to date//blessings & peace
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Richard Lamoureux
Date: 12/16/2015 3:43:00 PM
Thanks Lewis, much appreciated.
Date: 12/16/2015 1:03:00 PM
Oh this is beautiful. How unconditionally and unselfish, this love of a grandma to her granchild was, how beautiful the heart that hides the pain so the joy of others could be lived, and for the first time I'm seeing alzheimer as a blessing. How blessed to see the hand of God in such an illness.. Alzheimer as a relief from past turmoils, yet those dancing monents She lived with her grandson still waltz in her eyes,, goosebumps. A fave. (btw, Have you seen Eileen lately , here ?
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Richard Lamoureux
Date: 12/16/2015 3:44:00 PM
No, she has been absent, I've left comments but she hasn't replied.
Date: 12/16/2015 11:08:00 AM
This is beautiful in flow and in feeling of contrasts, irony, strength in weakness. Thank you. I think you have a repeated typo in one line "Smiles that you smiled where a gift gifted to me" I think you were either going for "were" or you discovered "where" and forgot to leave out the "to"? Anyway, I keep reading my biography in your poetry, which I hope is a sign that we are both doing something right and write. Gerald Oliver
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Richard Lamoureux
Date: 12/16/2015 11:32:00 AM
Thanks for the thoughtful comment and catching my spelling error. I wrote this one early this morning and neglected to proof it.
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