Carer Prescription, A poem by Rob Ferguson

CARER PRESCRIPTION 
For my ever patient wife

Just some minor memory issues
the neurologist said but
day after day after day after day

I love it he puts out breakfast
but still hasn’t learnt 
I’ve been having yoghurt 
over a year now
do I remind him yet again 
or just quietly get it myself?

And this evening: we turn at the next left 
I know, he says, we drive here every week
but last week you sailed right past
I hold my tongue
and the week before

Night after night after night after night
his tablets there by the bed
do I prod him once again?
I was just about to take them he says
Yeah, right, his hand already on the light switch 

Minor indeed Mr. Neurologist  
but you forgot my carer prescription 
a double dose of patience extra strong
taken with a deep breath
and a stroll in the garden
three times a day before meals and 
every day after day after day after day after day