Aging Pool Of Life Poem by RoseAnn V. Shawiak

It's so hard to explain the loneliness of years when one is
without words, an explicit joy brought on by a child, and
then silence as a memory creeps in.

So long ago fate had me sealed and now down the hallway
gropingly I go, without sight or sound, being led on to drown
in this deep pool of life.

Carefully trying to recall the use of living with hope, and
not giving up so easily, grasping onto the very minutes of
existence as they fall away from open hands.

Crying out in loneliness, happy to hear even your own voice,
saying, why me?

Gnarled and torn in two from hurt, being restrained, unable
to live or breathe or die.

Only lying there, hanging on, hoping for one last glimpse
of being alive, and then all is gone, all is lost, as sleeping
you are yet alone.