If I Reach an Age..

If I reach an age,

a stage where

I cannot always clarify

my actions or recall

my thought processes,

I hope there will be

someone present who knows

me well enough or someone

who has taken the time

to get to know me.

Someone who has taken

time to get to know me

so I am not a nuisance

because I ‘wander’.

Actually, I was never one

for sitting doing nothing,

so please don’t try and

keep me resting

when my body is still

able to be active.

My body is still able

to be active and,

as a result, I am not

trying to escape.

I am merely trying to

get outside to hear the

birds, breath the air

and allow the consistent presence

of nature to penetrate

those deep recesses of my memories.

Deep recesses of my memory

that still recall happy

days long ago.

Days when we would walk

in the woods seeking red squirrels,

search in ponds for frog spawn,

comb the beach for treasures.

Ask me about these times,

I can share stories and

perhaps even impart knowledge.

Stories and knowledge have

been laid down in the

areas of my mind that have

not yet succumbed

to the tangles and plaques.

Some gentle coaxing

will encourage them forth,

once released they will be

happy to be shared, relived

and bring joy.

Bring joy to me as I

quietly laugh at

the image of a wee boy

wet with sea water and

a bonnie girl seeking

mermaids purses in

the tide line.

Joy to you as you

realise you’ve reached me

and can share these memories.

You’ve reached me because

you have taken the time.

Time to sit with me,

time to speak with me,

time to not watch the time,

to just be present so I can

be present in a time that

I loved and didn’t want to lose.

This is all I hope for if I

reach an age, a stage....