A Little Mixed Up
Just a line to say I'm living,
That I'm not among the dead.
Though I'm getting more forgetful,
And mixed up in my head.
I've got used to my arthritis,
to my dentures I'm resigned.
I can manage my bifocals,
but, oh my! I miss my mind.
For sometimes I can't remember
When I stand at the foot of the stairs,
If I must go up for something
Or, I've just come down from there.
And before the refrigerator so often,
my poor mind is filled with doubt.
Have I just put food away, or
Have I come to take some out?
And there's times when it is dark,
With nightcap on my head.
I don't know if I'm retiring,
Or just got out of bed.
So if it's my turn to write you,
There's no need of getting sore.
I may think that I have written
And don't want to be a bore.
So remember I do love you,
And wish that you were near.
Now it's nearly mail time,
I must say goodbye, my dear.
Here I stand at the mailbox,
With face so very red.
Instead of mailing you my letter,
I have opened it instead!
AUTHOR UNKNOWN
(Does anyone know who the author is?)
"I know who the author was! It was my grandmother, Eva Nielsen. She was born in Fayette, Utah and lived most of her life in Orem, Utah. She had six children and was married for more than fifty years. She loved to read, write and recite poetry from early childhood and continued throughout most of her life until alzheimer's disease robbed her of this beautiful gift. She wrote this poem in her late fifties when she was still just "forgetful". I have my grandmother's original handwritten script of the poem and my brother was present when she wrote it, so I know she was the original author. Except for the second stanza, there are only a couple of minor differences between this version and her original.
So as Paul Harvey would say, 'and now you have the rest of the story!'
Thanks for asking!
Sincerely,
Valea Lund"
Valea, I appreciate you identifying the writer of this beautiful poem and providing a bit of information regarding Eva Nielsen's life. Thanks! Edith.
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