A Poem for Pop-pop

It’s hard to say when it happened but I knew
Your memory had started to fade and something was different about you

Your mind would go back to when you were young. Confusion filled your head
You thought you were too young to have a granddaughter, so I became your friend

You would always ask the same questions
"What’s your name?"
"Where do you live?"
"Where do you go to school?"
And I was always happy to spend time with you

My dad told me that it might be your last day.
I came over to see you right away
As I walked through the door and up the stairs
I saw my family wiping away tears

I took a deep breath and kept my tears inside
So when I walked in your room you could see me smile
I sat on your bed, said “Hi Pop-Pop” and took your hand in mine
You hadn’t spoken in days but somehow managed to say “Hi”

It was hard for you to speak but I knew just what to say
Because you always asked me the same questions every day
I told you my name, where I live, and where I go to school
Then you surprised everyone because you laughed and smiled too

I’ll always cherish the time we spent together,
Even towards the end
Because it was when you forgot you had a granddaughter
That I became your friend