captured at bethesda terrace in central park, nyc
We are Forget
by Gary Glazner
Founder and Executive Director of Alzheimer’s Poetry Project
We are the words we have forgotten.
We are shifting and pacing.
We wrote this poem.
It’s a pretty poem.
Can you bake a cherry pie?
Never more, never more.
We have no horizon.
We don’t recall washing or eating
or what you just said.
Ask me my name.
Ask me if I have children?
You’re a pretty lady.
You have beautiful eyes.
Wash me, put me to bed clean,
hold me as I fall asleep.
Give me a kiss, brush my hair.
You are my daughter?
Light washing over us moment, moment.
You’re a handsome man.
Our hand writing is beautiful
twists and loops of letters
we can’t remember our hands.
Our ears are wishful
we can’t remember our ears.
We can speak every language,
we can’t remember our mouths.
We are porous.
We are the past.
We are forget.
The photo makes me think of hope for the future, walking out of the darkness and into the light. The poem bring tears to my eyes. Both are sadly beautiful. I love you & the work you are doing for Alzheimer’s. GH
Thanks my dear. I came across this poem and it really touched my heart as well. I thought it was a great combination with the photo that I’d just captured the day before in Central Park. I love your thought…hope for the future… xoxo
you nailed it…period the end!!!!!!!!
Thank you! It was the most incredible evening in Central Park…foggy and mysterious…and the guy’s timing couldn’t have been more perfect! xoxo
My brother’s mother-in-law suffered for almost 9 years. Each week he and his wife would visit early in the day so she might be somewhat coherent. At the end they refused to go because it was so difficult on his wife.
My brother told everyone, including his minister, that should he were ever diagnosed with this horrible disease, it would be the shortest case in history because he would end his life. There is no way he will allow himself to become similar to his mother’s-in-law case. His minister said, ‘I think God will understand’. You know something; I think I agree.
This poem says it all, and the photo you captured is perfect for the poem. Oh, I miss my mom and I hate what Alzheimer’s. We will continue to fight the good fight against this horrible disease. I love you!
Thanks my dear one! It’s always comforting to me that you can so relate….xoxo
A tear and a smile. A tear and a smile. A tear and a smile. It’s a wonderful poem…maybe the best I’ve ever seen on the subject. And so perfect for your image. I could get used to your NYC Central Park!
First, thanks for the tear and a smile. I so agree. I just happened upon Az’s poetry project. So very cool. And yes, CP is just AWESOME. No words to describe! Thank you!!