A Lifetime in a Voice

She has a lifetime in her voice

Although it is elderly and gravelly

Her words are uncertain

Their meaning unclear

Desperately she tries again

Anxious to be understood

As she would once have been

But all she sees is bewilderment

She tries to read their souls

Communicate heart to heart

To bypass the non-functioning brain

They can’t feel her

And they turn away

Embarrassed for her

Or for not knowing what to say

Or both

She was young once

And middle aged

And older but youthful

Vibrant and alive

Exactly like them

Now she’s alive

And isolated by confusion

Separated by the ravages of time

But she must still be respected

Because she represents their very births

Because she is they are

She can’t talk but she can feel soft hands holding hers

She can be comforted by a gentle squeeze of that hand

She can feel loved when she sees a smile

And safe when they hold her

She is still young vibrant alive

Trapped in a body that is not

With a mind that is worn out

She is still here

Still herself

Still valuable

Still loved

Hold her hand and she will know that

Look into her eyes and you will see her

Feel her heart and feel the love
that created you all

She is still wonderful

Still alive

Still yours

She will always be yours

And you will remember her as she was

Not as this





Deb Hawken

October 2023



For all those struggling in this way
And especially for my parents

I always saw you