The Long Good-Bye

Brain cell by brain cell
memory departs
into an ever deepening fog.

Fear...
anger...
a loved one becomes the enemy...
medication becomes poison...
role reversal...
daughter ... the caregiver ... becomes the mother...
mother becomes the child...

Bodily functions uncontrollable
embarrassment

Each day
another memory waves
good-bye.

The fixed stare
sees ... What?

It is the long good-bye
before the final curtain falls,
before soul and body are separated
before the last tear is shed
before prayers for the departed are said.

It is the long good-bye
that echoes into silence
as memories of joy
of laughter
of love
of successes
of failures
are consumed by Alzheimer's...