You know, but you know longer know the names
Of things, of people that you love. You know
You used to know them. But no longer. You
Know these people love you, but their names
Escape you. Suddenly you’re lost for words
Although sometimes you find that you can speak
With confidence and ease, the way you used
To. Then one word escapes your mind
And everything unravels. You can’t speak
Your lips twitching in vain, and it’s no use
And everyone’s pretending not to mind
But you mind. And you want to scream aloud
“I used to know so many words! I still
Know so much more than anyone believes
It’s just the names I cannot speak aloud
You bow your head. Your twitching lips grow still.
The (woman? Daughter?) pats your hand, and leaves.
Tom Juniper Poetry 