Losing Your Mind

So, my father who has

Alzheimer's disease,

wants to talk to me.

He begins slowly --

I once had something -

something I -

collected -

his hands make a gnarled cup

to emphasize -

but I lost it -

then he shakes his head

and waves his hand as if to erase -

no, I didn't lose it -

it's there

among some other things -

but I can't find it.

He peers at me intently

to see if I understand.

I smile and nod, I do.

I'm terrified that

I'll lose something, too.