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?
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