Senescence

Time stood still in your gaze:
you survive in a descending spiral,
searching for preterite instants
in mnemonic pathways.
Your eyes see shadows.
Your mind transmuted love in phantoms
without farewells.

Dementia, like the blind worm,
slides through tunnels in live matter.
Is your yoke easy? your burden, light?
You don’t answer.
Destiny summons with masks of a woman.
Seeking an outlet to seas,
you carry a child’s rucksack on an old man’s loins,
packed with unfathomable images of your yesterdays.

Your destiny is Amphitrite with a child in her arms.
Goddess of the Ocean,
she breastfeeds aquatic creatures
adrift in embryonic waters.
Return to the cool green depths.
You will have peace.

About This Poem

Last Few Words: I wrote this poem to my late husband, who had dementia for 15 years, during his senior time and senescence.

Style/Type: Free verse

Review Request Direction: What did you think of my title?
How was my language use?
What did you think of the rhythm or pattern or pacing?
How does this theme appeal to you?
How was the beginning/ending of the poem?
Is the internal logic consistent?

Review Request Intensity: I appreciate moderate constructive criticism

Editing Stage: Editing - rough draft

About the Author

Region, Country: Río Negro, Argentine Patagonia , ARG

Favorite Poets: Sylvia Plath

Comments

Hi Jerry, yes, it's a

Hi Jerry, yes, it's a question of keeping one's mind active. I find a few games to download, but I soon tire of them. I realize after a short time that they're all repetitive and one can do them by heart. Do you know of any good games?
Thanks for reading and commenting. It was very sad caring for Carlos for so many years. I have to confess that he deteriorated so much, just skin and bones, that only my daughter would visit him. His own daughter lives in W.A., Spokane. She never flew over to see him during the whole 15 years.
Tx and take care.

Thanks, Mark. Yes, terribly

Thanks, Mark. Yes, terribly sad, coming right after my son's ALS, of which he died aged 29 years. Long story.
I'm glad you like my "worm" simile. I'll try to come Saturday night, not always possible, but a fun challenge.