Chance encounter,
a simple “hello”,
and I reel
backwards,
grasping…
blank
the mind a trickster,
memory inaccessible,
panic pulses
a response…
hovers
out of reach
expectancy
a deadline…
Am I smiling?
Or just an inert fool,
this brain fog
a cruel master.
(Ran into an old friend today. Could not remember her name, nor where I knew her from, only that we knew each other quite well. This is has been happening frequently – maybe as I get out more. Very disconcerting.
Prompts today are from Fandango: deadline; Ragtag Community: pulse; and Daily Addictions: access.)
One Woman's Quest 
awesome! I love this! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks! Happy Saturday to you.
LikeLike
I have had those encounters. Great description! Thanks for participating.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The older I get, the more often it happens. Good luck!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Don’t worry ! This is just STML … “Short time memory loss ” I too have it !
LikeLike
That’s happened to me as well with no plausible reason why. At one point, I thought of calling my memoir “So Many Faces, So Few Names”. Now I smile warmly, sometimes say I’m sorry but I don’t remember your name, sometimes just carry on with a conversation. If my husband’s on the ball, he introduces himself and extends his hand to shake. This usually elicits the other person’s name. I do the same for him. Mostly I just focus on being kind.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It really caught me off guard. Perhaps with time I will learn to handle it more graciously.
LikeLike
Be strong. You’ll get through this.
LikeLike
I’ve been there V.J. Hope it helps to know you’re not alone….
LikeLiked by 1 person
It does help, thanks Terri. I think I’m doing so well, and then when tested find out the truth. Argh!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Scary isn’t it? 😳 You’re not alone!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Christine. It is scary.
LikeLike
I take my dog with me almost everywhere I go. He’s a typical Labrador- and in his case doesn’t have a mean bone in his body and likes people ( more then I did for awhile ). So I sort of follow his lead and find it’s easy to connect with people I meet when I’m out and about.
LikeLiked by 1 person
A dog is a great go-between, you are right. I had my husband with me, but he’d stepped away. He’s more like a Saint Bernard, lol.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Getting out more yay! Isn’t it wonderful that we can interact warmly … without names 😄
LikeLiked by 1 person
You are sweet, Diana. As was my friend. She said she’d heard I’d had a few challenges, and then reminded me of how we knew each other.
LikeLiked by 1 person
And just imagine how sweetly she would think of you to know that your meeting had inspired poetry! Special!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hmmm…most people don’t know I write poetry, lol. She would love it though – you are right.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m slowly beginning to tell friends … it does come as a surprise.
And with the quality of your writing you should shout it loud and proud 😊💜
LikeLiked by 1 person
Likewise. Eyes tend to glaze over when I say I’m writing period. Imagine if I added “poetry”, lol.
LikeLike
Don’t be too hard on yourself. I go through this, too, and I completely understand the emotions you’re feeling. The good thing is you’re getting out more. ❤️
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Dorinda. It is good that I’m get out. I have to keep that in focus.
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂
LikeLike