Care Home For the Aged (A Lady-In-Waiting)

I - Night falls At death of day long shadows form, drawn blinds at dusk exclude the world, tight-shut 'til long past dawn. Night time is the worst time to want of sleep, but sleep is host of dreams and dreams they will not take. Time is a spiteful conspiracy with every moment wrest from life, and every second uncelebrated. The gift of care is a product in a cruel market of compassion, and each transaction, a life. II - Heightened awareness Scurrying, tapping, impatient footsteps rise and fade. Rush of breeze - an irregular rise and fall. I'm aware of breathing, loudly - and every gulp, one less. Strange familiar sounds in another difficult night. III - Joy and despair Vivid fragments of a reckless memory bring to mind more wild thoughts in a rush of sweet-bitter remembrance. Running - me running! Through a shimmering golden field, so quick, so light I nearly stumble, but fall into your arms, your strong, safe arms. The sunlight sparkles in your eyes, or do they glint for me? It seems like ancient yesterday, how I wish it were tomorrow. Then the magical memory makes me sad. I close my eyes, pretend to sleep, and pass the endless night. IIII - Defiance My mind? My mind is active! Long life and long live aged sanity in this chamber of insanity. My will is strong, I must not yield. I know who I am. Who are you?