Dementia

Posted on February 4, 2013 by oldmainer

I see her sitting in her chair
The wheels are locked in place
My gaze is met by hollow eyes
No expression on her face

It’s clear she does not know me
Nor does she recognize
The life that swirls around her
She cannot visualize

In her lap there rests a doll
Cupped within her arm
With the instincts of a mother
She shelters it from harm

I wonder what still lies within
What thoughts run through her head
When her whole life consists of
A wheelchair and a bed

How much of life does she retain
What treasures does she hide
How much does she really know
That she keeps locked inside

Does in her heart a love still glow
Do cherished memories play
Or like her withered body
Have they too gone away

I wish that I could reach her
And visit for a while
But I can offer nothing
But compassion and a smile

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About oldmainer

I am retired and live in southern Maine with my wife and two dogs. I started Oldmainer .wordpress.com as an outlet for my occasional opinions and random observations, with some poetry thrown in. However,I found there is a different audience for the poetry, so I created poormanspoet.wordpress.com. I welcome anyone that wants to kick back and join me here on the porch, exploring all the gifts we have been given and the memories collected. Thanks for stopping by.

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