When History Hides

I keep a journal of my thoughts

My doctor said I should

I write of “haves” and my “have nots”

He says it does me good

The saddest “have not” I recall

Dwells somewhere in the fog

A hint of loved ones, great and small

My memory fails to jog

I journal of calamity

Recounting all my fears

I can’t remember family

Or friends throughout the years

They say dementia takes a toll

A toll one cannot pay

My doctor though, God bless his soul

He’s with me every day

Today he came to share the news

As gently as he could

A cancer’s back they can’t defuse

My future isn’t good

He says it’s indeed, germinal

Continuing to grow

Then added that, “It’s terminal

Your family needs to know”

A brand new fear washed over me

This task for me, too tall

How can I make my doctor see

They’re strangers, one and all

I asked if this thing HE would do

For me, with memories hid

He hugged me tight like families true

And answered, “Mom, I did”