She hadn’t visited for a whole week and felt a little guilty. She was his only daughter and had moved him to be closer to her. The staff at the memory care unit were attentive and Dad seemed well-adjusted to the move. He was eating better than before and sometimes when she came, they could have an actual conversation.
When she arrived that afternoon, he was sitting in a straight chair at the dining room table, perusing the local newspaper. “Hi Dad! How are you?!” she greeted, a bit too cheerily. He startled and stared at her with a troubled expression.
“What are you reading?” she queried in a softer voice.
“The obituaries…didn’t see my name yet,” he responded dryly.
She hid her smile and hesitantly asked, “Anybody we know?”
“I didn’t recognize all of the names swallowed up by the cold…”
_________________
A 144-word prosery prompt by Bjorn at dVerse Poets, including a line by Swedish poet laureate, Tomas Tranströmer (the final line of my prosery).
a poem in my pocket 
Mar 12, 2024 @ 19:56:10
Relatable for many, sadly. Well written, Lynn.
Mar 13, 2024 @ 11:39:53
Thanks, Carol.
Mar 12, 2024 @ 19:48:56
{{{HUGS}}}
Mar 13, 2024 @ 11:39:35
❤
Mar 12, 2024 @ 15:56:23
Only those of us who have lived through this know how totally frustrating, confusing and lonely it can be. Those moments of lucidity and humor are precious and few.
Mar 12, 2024 @ 16:24:12
❤
Mar 12, 2024 @ 14:55:39
I love how real this feels–and that touch of humor is perfect!
Mar 12, 2024 @ 16:25:23
It was loosely based on experience with my father…he always had a sense of humor.
Mar 13, 2024 @ 07:37:16
I could feel that. 😊
Mar 12, 2024 @ 14:17:31
I think the line “She hadn’t visited for a whole week and felt a little guilty” perfectly captures the weight of responsibility and desire for connection. Well written, Lynn!
~David
Mar 12, 2024 @ 16:26:42
yes, David…thanks (with tears)
Mar 12, 2024 @ 11:20:44
Yes, now they call it memory care. My parents became more interested in the obits as they got older, the section I still throw away. I guess I don’t want to see anyone in there that might be even close to my age. That line for the prompt was easy to write to.
Mar 12, 2024 @ 16:27:25
It was a great line…thanks for your comment, Yvonne!
Mar 12, 2024 @ 03:49:27
I recognize this as the first steps alas… from there it will only get worse.
Mar 11, 2024 @ 20:41:16
The humor helps to make this piece feel warm. Well done, Lynn.
Mar 11, 2024 @ 20:02:21
A bit of humor.🙃
Mar 11, 2024 @ 20:09:16
Yes 😀
Mar 11, 2024 @ 19:58:38
A wonderful story, Lynn. I like what you did with the prompt line.
Mar 11, 2024 @ 20:10:08
Thanks, Dwight…it seemed to flow naturally from that line.
Mar 11, 2024 @ 20:26:45
Those are the best kind of prompts. You are welcome.