Inevitable

OLD AGE PAINS (In Loving Memory of my Mother.) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Old journal book soiled by life's pains; Aged ugly looks, pages and stains; Old people hooked to sad refrains. Here in this room old odours cry; Feel the sad gloom where unease sighs; Here with late bloom pain comes to lie. Weathered faces in sad stupor; In odd spaces with dark decor; Lonely traces just as before. Lingering here, loitering there; No sign of cheer to fit or wear; Even harsh fear has gone somewhere. Blank eyes can stare as silence creeps; No words can fare as wit concedes; Fair wear and tear waits final sleep. Dumb and blankly that certain gaze; Dementia sees all in a maze; Completely blur that certain craze. Fumbling stray lot of sanity; Remnants of plots now so edgy; Dreary grim thoughts dragging weary. Yet we struggle to gain a grip; Scream and juggle in blown mind trip; Death's a hustle as body creeps. Face now fading in these bleak times; Slowly moving with stumbling chimes; Release coming in dreadful rhymes? Well-worn pages in setting sun; Such ravages feed snoozing pun; Death in stages in dreadful grunt. Now beyond hope, faith has no cure; Care cannot cope with lost allure; Sad form makes dope of sure tenure. In-between then and now, some poise: Brief knowing span recalls lost voice; Watch smiles pretend to attempt choice. Such old age pains reveal once more Life hazards stain sad corridors; Where time speaks plain, no metaphors. Our visit brief and strange and void; Blame follows grief, babbling android; Dash and achieve yet still devoid. Our tale is told in fits and starts; Our end unfolds in broken hearts; Our crumbling gold in splintered parts! Yet, I grow old with lapses clear; And yes I'm told I forfeit cheer; Forget to hold memory here. Leon Enriquez 24 June 2014 Singapore