Photo Copyright: Laura Crosby

Twin Cities Poet Anne Simpson and photographer Laura Crosby have collaborated on a new book and exhibit entitled ‘I’m Still Here.’ The exhibit will open this Thursday, October 2nd with a reception from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Aslan Institute in Eagan. The exhibit runs through October 31. Above is one photo from the exhibit, and below is a poem entitled ‘Visitation’ also featured in the book and exhibit:

VISITATION

In the Alzheimer’s homewhere the young mother has come to visit,her baby is crying.You hold out your arms.

You sit on a cold, metal, fold-up chairby the nurse’s desk,sit calmly as you hold the flailing bundle —

purple screwed-up face,fists and feet pummeling the air,tiny lungs forming screamsthat pierce old deafened ears.

Bent over the child, you sit,gently rocking,stroking her,speaking sounds no others understand.

You murmur the language that comes before speechthat she, so recently arrived,and, so close to return,can speak together.

– By Anne Simpson, ‘I’m Still Here’ – The Alzheimer’s Story