Across the table
between the salt cellar
and crumpled saltine wrappers,
mug of coffee cuddled in hands
that grasp the past,
as he sips remnants of past flavors
recalled for one moment,
gray eyes glance
outside the window of time
watching a child slide down the banister,
laughing with youth’s delight
as he claps his hands in happiness,
suddenly silent
as the present overtakes him,
shyly looking down
as a steaming platter appears,
home cooked fries
grasped in hunger’s lure,
once more peering towards the menu
left upturned to the dessert section,
visions of chocolate sundaes
that his fingers trace
over and over again,
until she smiles her approval,
and orders two spoons
to share paradise together,
spoons clink together on glass
frosted with sweetness of the ritual,
as he finishes the last drop
of memory’s dream,
and says goodbye to the waitress,
turning his head and waits for me,
“Mom, let’s go home.”
Author notes
Once a month I take my husband out to dinner. He is an invalid, with a brain injury. He does not remember exactly who I am, but calls me Mom. So, the whole scenario is a dream of the past-where we used to go out to eat, eating dessert together, but it is not the same as it used to be. But I take him, because it is good for him to go out. They know us well there, but memories of the past remain with me, as I sit there in our booth and wish his memory would return one day.
A contest entry
- Having Coffee with a Memory by shepherd23.
300 points, ended June 5, 2008, 14 entries
Bronze trophy winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Please tell me what you think
Comments
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Oh!
This has rent my heart! Now I've really got to get to bed & grab something tight! This is so vivid & touchingly painful. You dear soul, you have the strength of Job! How thoroughly you present this scene with tenderness & clarity! I think I need a good cry now. Your husband is blessed to have a mate & friend like you! Blessings & congrats on your trophy!
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What a touching heartfelt poem, it caught my emotions and gave me a bittersweet image of you and your husband there sharing a dessert. Such detail in the imagery!
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