When The Floods Came

I remember when the floods came
I was only a boy
But that memory is horridly clear

The endless torrential rain
Drowning the river
Threatening the dam

I remember my father
Among a group of men
Who went to the dam

I remember my mother
Scared, but trying to remain strong
While my sisters screamed, terrified

I remember my older brother
Running out of the house, feeling duty bound to join
We never saw him again

I remember hearing the dam burst
An echoing boom
Followed by a horrible shaking

I am an old man now
Bent, wizened, ancient
All I have is my memories

Soon I will no longer have them
Alzheimer's is slowly eating them
Turning them to nothingness

I have forgotten so much
I only wish to almighty God
I could forget when the floods came