approaching is his, and recalls building the walkway, planting the rhododendron, driving the car, and appreciating music. He remembers what is in his suitcase as well. However, the unnamed narrator describes him as a "crazy old man." Alternatively, that could be the way that he self-identifies. He no longer appreciates music, and he only pretends to read the book he carries with him. Worst of all, he cannot remember who the "old white-haired woman" is that comes out to greet him, although readers assume that it is his wife.

In this description of a brief event, Cherry encapsulates the stress and uncertainty that victims of Alzheimer's endure. The simple act of coming home carries multiple ramifications and stressors. The man's confusion causes others to regard him, and perhaps him to regard himself, as crazy. He remembers some things that seem familiar, but other things are a mystery to him. He remembers that he used to love music, but he cannot enjoy it anymore because it confuses him emotionally. He considers it urgent that he should identify the person that welcomes him home, but he experiences frustration because he is unable to do so. All these symptoms are common with people who have Alzheimer's.

The meaning of this poem is relatively straightforward, and concerns a tragic scenario with which many with elderly family members are all too familiar. A man suffering from Alzheimer's disease stands at the threshold of his home. He attempts to piece his life together. The disjointed nature of his mind is reflected in the items that he carries, as well as the nature of the line breaks in the poem itself. In particular, the line that reads "in the bushes- the rosebushes" is a direct reference to the old man's mind slowly and carefully attempting to put his surroundings together.

The slow build of realization sets us up for the final emotional punch of the poem that occurs in the last few lines. He begins to remember the small details about his house, such as parts that he built as a younger man. He recalls being fond of music, but that there is no time for it now. This is a reference to the fact that all of his is devoted to constructing his reality in a functional manner. The man seems to have recalled his past quite well. But as we realize in the last line, he cannot remember who we assume to be his wife.

Everyone comes to a poem with a different background, a different set of life experiences, different education so a poem can have many interpretations. Often, learned critics will unite in identifying a central theme, but sometimes 'the man in the street' may have his own insights and they are valid too. I will speak as one who Has actually had experience of a person with with this disease:

Firstly, this brilliant poem gives readers a clue in the title - as this can be a confusing subject for everyone (not least the victim) it is good to have the guideline. An old gentleman has been in hospital and is returning home to his wife. Even without the title we know he is not always rational ('crazy' - the piggy bank in the suitcase - brains rattling.') The poem continues in the style of his mind racing,taking in the things he sees in the way he sees them - (sunlight first,sparkling raindrops,the house highlighted,rosebushes that were once obviously a central pre-occupation for him.)

The next bit of the poem underlines the way in which memory is actually lost - not necessarily chronologically. In some dementias patients have a perfect recollection of childhood events but cannot remember what they were told 2 minutes ago. The short term memory loss becomes painfully obvious in the last part - he does not recognise his wife. He is used to being a busy professional man of purpose - now the only thing he can apply that to is working out who his life-partner is.