The Old-Timer’s (Alzheimer’s) Song
© June 30, 2007
Richard O. Harris
© June 30, 2007
Richard O. Harris
The other day, eating breakfast, I was trying to remember what I had forgot the other day.
I asked my wife of fifty years to remind me once again, she looked at me and I heard her say.
“Now old man, don’t your start that. Just go watch your news, while I put the dishes away.”
So I did as she told me, took my coffee, turned on the TV. and hear what had happened in the world today.
Some guy and lady sat there talking ‘bout ‘aliens’ and should we allow them in the good ‘ole U.S.A.
Then I started laughing, wondering if they have ever turned their radio on and listened to Orson back in my day.
When my wife came in the room and asked me what was funny I tried to explain how these youngsters were led astray.
She looked at me kind of funny then said, “Listen, honey, this is real and not just some hip-hooray!”
So I got up to get my gun, told her don’t you worry none I won’t let them aliens take you away.
She shook her head, picked up the phone, punched some numbers one by one, and said I think it’s one of his bad days.
Soon a knock came at the door and a woman I never seen before came in but was not speaking English anyway.
She looked at me as if I understood but I just ignored her like I should until my wife gently led me away.
My wife helped me as I stumbled and I thought we might have a rumble once she told me sit down on the bed and stay.
Then she helped me take my robe off and I thought what a turn on, who cares about aliens anyway?
But as she turned my sleeve, the other lady seemed to believe this meant she could just have her way.
I gave her my meanest stare but my wife said don’t you dare, so I just sat still and let them have their way.
The lady put a needle in my arm said this would help keep you calm though I did not remember being upset anyway.
Then she said something to wife, left me alone with the light of my life, but soon I was sleeping away.
When I woke the sun was still up and my sweetheart said darling get up, that’s how we still talk to each other to this day.
We were going into town for some things she needed now arm in arm I led her away.
I started to get into the car she said I’ll drive it’s not that far and then made sure that I got in okay.
On our way doing at least thirty-five, some young punk honked at my wife, came around us as he sped away.
I told my wife if you catch him, I’ll teach him a lesson, he has no business flirting with you that way.
She gave me that look once again, as if I had done something not quite a sin and said now darling don’t you be that way.
Then we stopped off at the doc’s place and to my everlasting disgrace he said bend over gave me the finger wave.
Seemed to take him forever to finally stop and discover there was no problem with that area today.
He looked toward the windowsill and said we should try some new pill like he took it every day.
As my wife came in the room he turned to her pretty soon it was as though as I was not there anyway.
Then I began wondering if maybe one of them aliens had come along and stolen his identity like the papers say.
I looked a little closer and thought I could discover if there was something that might give him away.
As we got back in the car and headed home not very far I asked my sweetheart what the doctor had to say.
She looked at me with a smile that melts every heart in a country mile and told me nothing much new from yesterday.
We drove home silently with me thinking carefully of what might happen if I was not there to protect her every day.
Once back at home with supper done, and evening quickly coming on, we sat on the porch watching the sun sink away.
We sat there pretty quietly, drinking our iced tea when I just had to turn to her and say.
Darling don’t you worry none ‘bout them ole aliens, long as I am hear to keep you safe.
She looked to me so beautifully setting there smiling so perfectly then we had to go inside and call it a day.
Now lying here in the dark I remember what I forgot and if you are still listening this is what I have to say.
With all that’s happened in my life, I am lucky to have such a wife and this Old Timer has nothing else to say.
