napowrimo #4: blue makes her smile

when judy is in a good mood
she wears red
and asks you if you're going to the banquet
she'll ask which colored sari you'll wear,
"the red one?"
when judy's in a good mood, say yes
or say, "no, blue. you think that's a good idea?"
judy will smile and say, "oh yes, wonderful."
wait a while
judy's in a good mood and she may want to know
the color of your sari
or she may ask you your name
again
when judy's in a bad mood
don't be hurt when you come down to dinner
and she asks,
"who is this girl?
will she live long enough to see it done?"
don't tell judy you wonder the same thing yourself
don't tell her you're the girl who went to the banquet
in the blue sari
tell her your name
tell her you're going to a banquet tomorrow
tell her you need help deciding which sari to wear
ask her what she thinks of blue

(read write poem)

judy is in her 70s and has alzheimer's disease. she's been staying in my house for a week now. i have to introduce myself to her each time we meet. sometimes she remembers she has alzheimer's and those days are tough for all of us.