The Faces Of My Visitors Poem by Jenny Kalahar

The faces of my visitors seem familiar
but I won't speak to them, in case my words reveal
that I don't really know them anymore

It's all down to bare emotion
toward a young woman dressed in navy blue and white
I feel such tenderness
I know I've stroked her soft, brown hair
I know her eyes and want to hug her
but that's all … that is all

The faces of my visitors smile
they say things to me that I can't follow
my eyes turn toward the teddy bear on the sofa who comforts more.
I'm lonely for real people, but I can't find the ones I knew
Are they gone from me forever?
Is there no one left I love?

A nurse knocks at my door, coming in before I answer
I struggle to stand and smile and reach out my arms
wanting her.
She is familiar, and friendly, and is my bosom friend
though I don't know her name
or her life story
or anything at all
Oh, but I know those eyes
and I so want nothing else but to hug her
and that's all … that is all