0200 Dementia Poem by Michael Shepherd

Now what did I come upstairs for?

Of course I haven’t forgotten your name,
young lady, it’s just that I can’t remember it

Why am I going upstairs?
I only just got up

No dear, you’re wrong,
I always pay on account

Where’s my bed?
Isn’t this upstairs?

Take the paper back
to the newsagent, someone’s
already done the crossword

Of course I’m undressed,
I just came upstairs

Of course you can sign my name dear,
they know me at the post office

Why is it so dark downstairs,
I’ve only just got up

Why should I give you money for the gas,
Young man? I don’t even know you

I’m sure there are more stairs
than there used to be

Stop being so insulting, young man,
it’s only money

No of course I don’t need help with the stairs,
I know my own house

No dear, you sign for it, I’m sure
your boss will understand

Somebody changed the stairs
when I was out, they
aren’t the same

Why are people so rude about
money these days?

Ask my father to speak
to that young man

The stairs are steeper than they were,
somebody’s changed them

Who are you, I didn’t
ask you to come in…

Of course it’s my house,
it’s just that you changed the stairs

Tell the bank manager to
come and see me in the morning.

Why does that man upstairs
move the stairs at night?