Iris Therese Smith Reid wrote these poems along the way while looking after a husband who suffers from dementia and sickness. They were inspired by some of the things he has done and said while Iris has been his carer (for the last seven years now), his wife and his lifeline. Since her husband was diagnosed with dementia Iris has kept a journal recording the many ways this tragic disorder has affected their daily life together. The process of writing is one of the things that have helped her through this difficult time. "Writing this and the poems," she says, "helps me recharge my batteries for what lies ahead."