Dementia’s Shadow

When memory falters, love becomes the memory.

Humanity Repose (Deliverance III.4)

Words befuddled yet choosing to shun strife,

Then life’s daily discord compels mind, “Will

Love smooth stumbles to empower joy’s life?”

Kindness speaks in quiet verse that is rife

With beneficence, to remember still—

“Words befuddled yet choosing to shun strife,

Pain eases in the arms of my held wife.”

Sharing life’s ache together does fulfill—

Love smooths stumbles to empower joy’s life,

Though body’s moves slow from aging’s sharp knife

And thoughts die in place as spent daffodil.

Words befuddled yet choosing to shun strife,

So recollect the secret phrase to fife

The band of life— “I love you” fits the bill.

Love smooths stumbles to empower joy’s life,

Now life journey’s race crawls to afterlife—

Providence rescue and love now instill—

Words befuddled yet choosing to shun strife,

Love smooths stumbles to empower joy’s life.

 Comment: Love enters wreckage bare-handed. Shared ache steadies what stumbles. “I love you” spoken daily fulfills what Providence has already begun.