Alzheimer’s and Life goes on

a poem by Anupama Pyarelal

I am sorry,
I haven’t seen you before.
Would have remembered,
You know.
You clasp my hands,
Caress me tenderly.
I see your lips move,
I do not understand.
Wait,
I recognise some words.
They flicker through my mind,
Gone so fast,
Before I could grasp them.
Yes,
I am fine, happy;
Such nice people,
They take good care of me.
You visited me yesterday,
The day before, too.
Every day?
Funny,
I can’t seem to place you.
My daughter?!!
You must be mistaken,
My dear,
Mine is only four years old.
Perhaps,
The woman in the next room?