She sits by window tangled in shawl,
Another sunset begins to fall,
Casting shadows on walls of stark room
In her nursing home castle of gloom.

Eyes are glazed but still betray
Prankish hint of wink displayed.
Or, is it a blink to defy tears
For souvenirs of younger years.

Thoughts wander to familiar places
Lingering upon cherished faces.
Dawdling on dreams from bygone days
Probing deep into puzzled mind's maze.

Arthritic hands curl idly in lap;
Worn, gold band on finger still wraps
Deep in heart miracle of love
For knight keeping watch from above.

Fingers so knotted and useless now,
Long to caress tiny cheeks and bow
To height of innocent, wide-eyed child
As wrinkled lips brush forehead, so mild.

Stories of old days quest to be told,
Echoing off walls, secrets unfold.
Wishing someone would listen to tales,
Her feeble memory quickly pales.

The solitude day has faded to night;
Gnawed fingers folded in prayer so tight.
Tomorrow, a new beginning will bloom,
As she keeps vigil within windowed tomb.



Note from author: Alzheimers is such a dreadful, lonely disease. Although our loved ones no longer can communicate with or acknowledge those they love, my hope is that within their minds (the windowed tomb, the windows being their eyes), they do occasionally recall a warm memory.
This was inspired by my Uncle Frank's death which left Aunt Helen in a nursing home suffering from alzheimers. Uncle Frank was always there to hold her hand. My cousins wanted to bring Aunt Helen back to the house to maybe, in her own way, say goodbye...but as soon as he heard she was in the driveway, he took his last breath. We believe he couldn't bear the thought of her seeing him at his weakest moment. He'd been the strong one for her for so many years. Throughout their lives together, they lived their favorite song ... "May I Have This Dance For the Rest of My Life."

Copyright 2002 By Kathleen