Love Lost

By Lahari Shetty

He walked slowly to the florist

And chose his flowers with great care

Only the freshest blooms for his love

And a jasmine garland for her hair

He wondered what to talk to her about

He wondered if she would recognize him

Would reminiscing about the past help?

Or would she just look past on a whim

She looked up as he walked inside

Greeted him with a stark, blank stare

Taking the flowers as he gave his name

And listened as he laid his heart bare

She smelled the jasmine, closed her eyes

As some faint memory knocked at her

Her nurse smiled kindly at him and said

"Sorry, Alzheimer's won't let her remember."

By Lahari Shetty