She would get a cup of water,
place her finger on the curved edge of the lamp
water the garden painted on the side.

Alzheimer’s stole her mind
but not the loving care of the flowers
she’s remembered to water.

We remove the lamp,
bring her roses,
see her smile.

Cheryl Somers Aubin has an MA/Writing from Johns Hopkins University. She is the former nonfiction editor for the Literary Journal Delmarva Review.  Cheryl teaches memoir writing and is a featured speaker at writing conferences and workshops. She is the author of The Survivor Tree: Inspired by a True Story, which is  available at the National September 11 Memorial and Museum and online.  Www.thesurvivortree.com