Dementia

where has she gone

tentacles of forgetfulness

stretch out through

memories in her mind

strangling them until they are no more

today, yesterday easy targets

but deeper in the depth

remain early years

mother's eyes

father's smiles

joy of childhood memories

indifference replaces spontaneity

language diminishes

but love doesn't

presence matters

even though the

present doesn't

Wendy Bremner