I watched you, Mum, just fade away
Your eyes that once were warm and bright
Grew dim a little more each day
As they became bereft of light
But some days we talked for a while
We sang, danced, pretended all’s well
Your face lit up, I saw you smile
And watched you emerge from your shell
If for just one last precious day
I could have the Mum I once knew
See you before you slipped away
Back to the ghost that’s replaced you
I felt guilt when I dared to grieve
You were alive, still drawing breath
I found it hard, just couldn’t believe
This slow, wicked, tortuous death
Dementia didn’t hear my cries
It took your past, thoughts, your name
It stole your life before my eyes
Left me alone to bear the pain
No single goodbye, then to mourn
That I found was the cruelest part
When you held me when I was born
You didn’t know you’d break my heart
I could not save you from your fate
This evil plague had stolen your mind
Could not undo, could not abate
The sadness that you left behind
And when I felt your hand grow still
I stayed with you until the end
I loved you then, I love you still
Your daughter, protector and friend
