She unplugs her phone repeatedly
Disconnecting the landline jack
Alone in her solitary memory care room
Wanting no contact with unknown callers
The staff regularly plug it back in
So she tried disassembling the phone
But the weekly phone call visit still happens
Despite her angry objections
My sister keeps making the difficult calls
Hoping for a rare good day
To be recognized as her loving daughter
But mostly receiving rejection
How upsetting for both of them
To be trapped in the disconnect
Talking to an unfamiliar person
Unhappy with unwanted attention
Finding herself isolated among strangers
Dismayed that they purport to know her
Asking for contact only through letters
To escape the frustrating interactions
The last time I saw her she knew me
Glad that I came with my daughter
To take a few things being passed on
To prepare to move to assisted living
Our chance to connect saying goodbye
And I gave her a book that I hoped might help
The story of Someone I Used To Know
As if anyone can handle losing yourself
