Love Poem: Portrait of Joe and Wanda
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Written by: Gail Debole

Portrait of Joe and Wanda

Written: March 8, 2012
Updated: August 15, 2012
Note: Sequel to An Evening at the Home

3:00 a.m. - There was a full moon, and all was well.

Restless, uneasy snoring in various pitches was the only music of the night.

Starched white uniforms did not dare wrinkle as the nurses moved from room to room.

Only the softest of tip-toeing was allowed.

Shoes did not dare make a sound against the cold floor. 

Breath was held as long as it took to not disrupt the unexpected calmness.

No one knew that Joe and Wanda had "run off to Las Vegas" to get married. 

Joe and Wanda knew that they had to "run off to Las Vegas" to get married.

They "ran" as far as the solarium.

Asleep, they each snored together restlessly.

5:00 a.m., Joe and Wanda received the sad news that they were not married.

5:05 a.m., they received the sad news that they were not in Las Vegas.

5:10 a.m. they were escorted back to their separate rooms.

5:15 a.m., they each snored separately.

7:00 a.m., they each woke up not remembering their own names.

8:00 a.m., Joe remembered his own name.

10:00 a.m., Wanda remembered hers.

10:30 a.m., Joe remembered Wanda's name.

Never again - Wanda remembered Joe's name.

Gail's note: To protect the privacy of those who have lived before us, the names have been fictionalized, and the events semi-fictionalized.

Part of the Portrait Poetry Collection