What It's Like: A Personal Story of Suffering - The House of Memories

THE HOUSE of MEMORIES
By Janice Veldman

Walking in the dark
searching for the house
the house of memories

upon finding it
she looks through the window
the room dimly lit
by the flame in the fireplace

the family is gathered
she stands and watches
must be someone's birthday
slowly the flame is out
 a lonely walk home

for days she sleeps
no memories to find
when stronger she will go out again

dress warmly it will be a cold night
the faces are smiling, laughing
she sees
but cannot hear their voices

voice gives meaning
to what she sees
the sights are only half told
parts missing
 some make no sense

it is bitter cold standing there
she should have taken a scarf
walking home is not easy

she stumbles a few times
returning home
she tries to recall what she saw
without recall

the memory is faded
it is gone
the flame went out

she sleeps