FRAGMENTS OF YESTERDAY

FRAGMENTS OF YESTERDAY

Tucked away are memories that surface now and then,
fragments of yesterday come unbidden; at times a friend
will reminisce of what we used to do and what used to be.
Frail hands hold a wedding photograph and she asks me
"Were we ever that young? Why can't time stand still?"
Fragments of yesterday, long forgotten, come at will.

Who is that girl with the golden hair in bridal white?
And that man who stands beside her, at her right?
Her interest in the photograph soon disappears
as she has forgotten the happiness of yesteryears.
She turns away and looks out the window at the rain,
she shows no emotion, no recollection or sign of pain.

Was she ever that young, lovely eyes shining bright?
I wonder as I prepare to leave her alone there tonight.
I think about her younger days with a little smile,
she was vibrant and ready to always go an extra mile
to help a friend, to hug a child, to lead us on the way.
I have my own treasured little fragments of yesterday.

She falls asleep and I leave her room quietly as I can.
Her mind has wandered in and out, I can understand,
but my heart is heavy as I close her door and walk away.
She won't even remember that I was there with her today.
The night nurse smiles and wishes me a good night.
I nod and smile, as tears again begin to blind my sight.

Countrymom
9/2/07