At our last family reunion, there were two relatives that met everyone with a gracious smile, hiding their worry at not recognizing so many people. I had my guitar and started writing this song about living with Alzheimer's.
Lyrics
Columbus
what’s the point of learning all your names
when all proper nouns will be reclaimed
and the places I’ve been go anonymous
as soon as I have turned my back I become Columbus
I think I’ve met you once or twice before
shared a meal or held the door
and I’d like to tell you I recall it well
like a boy who conjures up the shore with his shell
and I’m in a fishbowl swimming across the ocean
and every day just drifts away
every wave is another extortion
I’ve heard that ignorance can bless you best
and people will be hired for the rest
while those who know you keep you as you were
when everything around you loses its place and starts to blur
bridge
chorus
and they say that when an empires falls
it always starts with something small
we’re not looking for a new world just the keys
and everywhere we set out for brings us back to our knees
bridge
chorus