Dementia Poem by Elizabeth Padillo Olesen

They loved and loved each other
with all their heart and mind
Their children thought
That their love could never end
as husband and wife.

But one day his memory failed
He could notremember
this woman, kissing him
and greeting him - "Good morning".
So sad to be surrounded by strangers
even by this stranger, his own wife.

His mind went black
and his past, present and future
no longer bore somecolors
From a short walk outside,
He could not find his way home.

But his wife continued to greet him
andlovehim each morning
and evening, feeling the pain
and loneliness to be left alone.

March 10,2017