2005 NATIONAL SENIOR POET LAUREATE
RUNNER UP

P. J. ROBERTS
Rockport, Massachusetts

SATURDAY NIGHT AT
THAT ALZHEIMER'S PLACE

I let you escape
into your down time,
your after-dinner nap,
to abort the grumbles
and disorientation.
I yearn to hear that
once-confident voice,
gaze into those dancing eyes
now glazed into absenteeism,
to see that handsome smile
of the person I've loved
for so many years.
Staying by your side
in this TV room, our tomb
for the on-going funeral,
I pray that when you awaken
you will still recognize me,
know that I am here
loving you, keeping you safe.
I pretend to listen to Lawrence Welk,
your favorite show
from gone-forever days,
weeping aloneness,
missing my Special Friend
who disappeared
into cacophonia and word salad.
I want to join you
in that far away world
for just one more dance,
and to sing with you
"Goodnight, Sweetheart...
...'til we meet again..."

P.J. Roberts
Rockport, MA

P. J. Roberts lives in Rockport, Massachusetts. For many years she served as editor of SandStar Publications, Publisher of fine poetry chapbooks. She is also an artist/illustrator whose signature is Patza (see Gallery of Books). Her award-winning poem "Saturday Night at That Alzheimer's Place" was written in honor of her late friend with whom she is seen in this photograph. P.J. is internationally known as a peace activist and poet. She won the Massachusetts Senior Poet Laureate Awards in 2004 and 2005.

P. J. Roberts, who died November 27, 2005, lived in Rockport, Massachusetts. For many years she served as editor of SandStar Publications, publisher of fine poetry chapbooks. She was also an artist/illustrator whose signature is Patza (see Gallery of Books). Her award-winning poem "Saturday Night at That Alzheimer's Place" was written in honor of her late friend with whom she is seen in this photograph. P.J. is internationally known as a peace activist and poet. She won the Massachusetts Senior Poet Laureate Awards in 2004 and 2005.