Assisted Loving Poem by arnie reisman

ASSISTED LOVING

She had accommodated to these corridors
In this home that was not her home
The facts she faced even without the music
Told her that the choices were slim

They told her this was her home now
Even her church and her world
Between the hymns and the hearse
There was still life, they told her

She knocked on his door, number 221
Romance astir on what's left of her mind
An eternity later he opened the door
Smile greets smile, a human animal reflex

"You remind me of my wife, " he said to his wife
She blinked twice, her heart fanned itself
"Get your typed paper from the night table."
He blinked, "Are you on it - is that why? "

"I am Ruth, your Ruth, nothing but Ruth."
On a sheet of paper typed by his helpful son
He found her name at the top properly identified
Below her all his other ID'd family and friends

Looking at her name kindled spark upon spark
Memories in used clothing popped in and out
He sat down on his bed and opened his arms
As tens of thousands of times before, she moved in

Together they completed the hug of a lifetime
The kiss was still familiar, still warm, still home
Another eternity came and went through the walls
She had accommodated to these corridors


- Arnie Reisman