OLD WOMAN’S SOLILOQUY

I drift

I dream

I remember…

      food

so sweet, so right,

so good

I eat very little now—

not hungry

     dresses

with ribbons and lace

and ruffles

Now all my dresses

are the same

easy-care plain

that never fits quite right

     people

that I played with

or danced with

or loved…once

Now there are faces

without names

or names that keep changing,

names that never seem right

and the faces not quite clear

but always reminding me—

     I laughed

I can remember laughing,

I laugh now, remembering.

     I cried, too…a little

I cry now

often

not knowing why

I drift

I dream

I remember