Connections

Your brain has become a sieve.

Words I speak sift through it.

‘It’s time to eat, I say.

‘Come to the table.’

You look toward the sound of my voice…

Unknowing, unthinking, unmoving.

Your eyes are still blue,

Your mouth opens and closes,

Your body is whole,

But – your mind is a sieve.

Only a clump of childhood memories cling within.

Neurotransmitters fail,

Leaving brain cells unconnected’ the doctor has explained

‘Neurofibrillary tangles, neuritic plaques,

Atrophied cells,’ were words used

To mask the fact

That your brain has become a sieve.

I try again. Placing my face close to yours,

Slowly, clearly I send the words to you,

‘Come to lunch’.

Once again these words sift through.

Resorting to the only language left between us,

My arms reach out for you, enfold you.

Your body does not forget.

Your arms remember.

They respond with a desperate embrace,

And you follow me.

Betty Wiley
April 6, 1991

A special  thank you to Betty for sharing her thoughts with us.  Betty has passed away since writing her poem.  Betty and her husband remain in our thoughts and prayers.

If I can be of help to you, please contact me at 248-844-9787 or via email Dorothy at LTCINSUSA@AOL.COM.