Three poems ----- Julie A. Dickson

Tell me Your Name

You are sad I cannot remember you?

I feel sadness about many things.

Don’t keep asking me who you are –

please tell me your name.

I see a photograph on the wall,

it’s me as a young man

no, I cannot recall

my deceased wife’s name.

Don’t keep asking me, as if

it might come back to me.

I remember I wore a red tie

to high school graduation,

a gift from my mother –

what did you say your name is?

I don’t know where I am,

the people here seem friendly;

can I please go home today?

Now, you look sad again…

I cannot think of any words to say;

did you ask a question just now?

Outside the window it looks like spring;

I’d like to go outdoors, please.

I hear nice music playing nearby;

will you push my chair closer?

I’m sorry I’ve forgotten again;

I’ll try to remember, just tell me your name.

 Aftermath

Camp Fire memorial

Scorched blackened beams

lay crisscrossed over fallen rubble,

ruined walls decimated

into haphazard heaps,

unrecognizable lumps,

someone’s former home.

Among scorched grass and trees,

a brick sentry remains -

lone witness to vast devastation,

burnt embers, smoldering ashes

accumulate among the residue

of unspoken screams.

A squirrel raises his head to listen;

weary whispers quiver in the aftermath

amidst damp decaying debris.

 The Game

Governess looks on

Mary teaches the game to her sisters

Middle holds her hand up to dissuade Lisbeth

from bothering the chess pieces

So serious, this Meg, the thinker…

Governess has seen her sneak books on history and art

whilst Mary dreams of husband and children,

learned chess from the Earl

Their father rarely speaks since his wife’s death

Mary can reach him, smiles and bright colored gown

Lisbeth the silly girl, the youngest

taunts and teases patient sisters

Dresses bound up, braids tight, jeweled bands

baubles saved from a mother long gone

A summer outing, the game

Governess looks on