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

Poem

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Hicks Avatar
March 7, 2016 at 11:39 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.
Kendrick Avatar
January 12, 2016 at 11:41 AM
Amazing the excellence that can come from three phrases..Congrats on your winning phrases..Sara
Selfa Avatar
January 12, 2016 at 8:18 AM
Congratulations Richard for winning in the combination of 3 words contest! You deserve the win! :) -hans
Lamoureux Avatar
January 12, 2016 at 8:43 AM
Thanks Hanstevan.
A   Avatar
January 10, 2016 at 11:07 PM
Hi Richard, Congratulations on your win. Always ~LINDA~ .
Lamoureux Avatar
January 12, 2016 at 8:44 AM
Thanks Linda.
Gentry Avatar
January 9, 2016 at 6:17 AM
What a lovely poetry form I'll be trying soon! Thanks for sharing your Grandma with us. Congrats on contest win also. 7
Lamoureux Avatar
January 9, 2016 at 7:32 AM
Let me know when you do, I would love to read it. Thanks for the visit.
A  Avatar
January 4, 2016 at 10:19 AM
RICHARD, CONGRATS on your "Combination of Three Words WIN!" *SKAT*
Lamoureux Avatar
January 9, 2016 at 7:33 AM
Thanks SKAT.
Cheema Avatar
January 3, 2016 at 12:44 PM
I see alzhiemers from a different perspective now! Credit goes to you, Richard! Congrats!
Lamoureux Avatar
January 3, 2016 at 7:00 PM
What a great comment, thanks Balveen!
Scars Avatar
January 3, 2016 at 11:05 AM
Richard, this moved me about your grandma..so beautiful..thank you for your participation in my contest! :)-luloo
Lamoureux Avatar
January 3, 2016 at 7:01 PM
I am honoured you chose this one, thanks Laura Loo.
Haight Avatar
December 21, 2015 at 9:41 AM
Very moving and emotional, Richard, and so wonderful are the memories of your dear Grandma. All the best for the contest. Sandra
Lamoureux Avatar
January 3, 2016 at 7:02 PM
Sorry for the late response, thanks Sandra.
Callus Avatar
December 19, 2015 at 2:06 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
Lamoureux Avatar
January 3, 2016 at 7:04 PM
Thanks Paul, sorry I missed your visit.
Trifiatis Avatar
December 19, 2015 at 10:26 AM
A sentimentally profound poem that leaves its mark upon the heart and mind of the reader. Excellent dear, Richard! Merry Christmas my friend!
Lamoureux Avatar
December 19, 2015 at 12:18 PM
Thanks Demetrios, much appreciated. We are heading to Vancouver for the holidays.
Godwin Avatar
December 19, 2015 at 10:17 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
Lamoureux Avatar
December 19, 2015 at 12:19 PM
Let me know when you do, I would love to read it.
Andresen Avatar
December 19, 2015 at 6:24 AM
- Lovely ....... dancing brings joy - I wish you a lovely and peaceful Christmas, Richard :) - hugs // Anne-Lise :)
Lamoureux Avatar
December 19, 2015 at 8:18 AM
Thanks, same to you Anene Lise.
Tor Avatar
December 18, 2015 at 10:54 PM
Moving and heartfelt write about your Grandma Richard. Nice entry for the contest.
Lamoureux Avatar
December 19, 2015 at 1:08 AM
Thanks again Michael.;0)
Vaso Avatar
December 18, 2015 at 10:54 PM
Not only beautiful, but a story I can very much relate too! You have told it so well!
Lamoureux Avatar
December 19, 2015 at 1:09 AM
This one is close to my heart. The hanks for your comment Arthur.
Devnath  Avatar
December 18, 2015 at 4:42 PM
Beautiful poem adorned with sweet words. 7 sure. Good luck in the contest my lovely friend. Loved always,bl
Lamoureux Avatar
December 19, 2015 at 1:09 AM
Thanks BL.
Bickerstaffe Avatar
December 17, 2015 at 7:54 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
Lamoureux Avatar
December 17, 2015 at 10:24 PM
Thanks Keith, a very thoughtful comment.
Bear Avatar
December 17, 2015 at 4:01 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
Lamoureux Avatar
December 17, 2015 at 10:25 PM
I'm glad we were able to see that more innocent part of her. I love you too!
Guillermo - Fraser Avatar
December 17, 2015 at 8:28 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=`)
Lamoureux Avatar
December 17, 2015 at 9:24 AM
Merry Christmas to you as well Olive. Thanks for visiting.
Manassian Avatar
December 16, 2015 at 3:57 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
Lamoureux Avatar
December 16, 2015 at 5:42 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.
Nyaga Avatar
December 16, 2015 at 3:10 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
Lamoureux Avatar
December 16, 2015 at 3:43 PM
Thanks Lewis, much appreciated.
Chircop Avatar
December 16, 2015 at 1:03 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 ?
Lamoureux Avatar
December 16, 2015 at 3:44 PM
No, she has been absent, I've left comments but she hasn't replied.
Dillenbeck Avatar
December 16, 2015 at 11:08 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
Lamoureux Avatar
December 16, 2015 at 11:32 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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