[ To Grandma: ]

To Grandma:

I saw you at the "rehab facility" yesterday.
I think it must be another word for a hospital,
because it smelled like disinfectant,
and the meals came in maroon plates with lids.
I sat on your bed,
and held your hand,
as you couldn't speak.
I looked above your head,
and saw a green piece of paper
With foam clouds stuck on at stange angles
and with grass at the bottom,
and birds flying about.
I wondered what a children's art project was doing in your room.
Till I saw your name printed at the end of it.

Gramma,
I want you to remember me.
I want you to call me the right name,
and when you see my face,
I want you to remember who I am and whose face it is.
I won't lie,
It hurts to see someone you love forget you.
I held your hand as you sputtered and slurred through your medicine.
The TV provided white noise,
And you looked past me to see.

I thought how sadness and death had avoided me until now.
Fate was pulling and teasing my heartstrings,
Letting me know that I, the fighter, couldn't fight this.
I sent you flowers,
And saw the bruises on your face.
I hope it cheered you up to see some life in its full bloom.
When I looked in your eyes,
I saw a woman who had raised me.
Who guided me,
Who let me sit on her lap and play the piano with her.
It makes me wonder if memories will be blurred like your speech.
That maybe one day I won'tbe able to remember, or understand.
My last words for you would be: remember us.
Remember me.