I watched her as her memory began to fade away --
I watched her as her mind itself slipped, piece by piece, away --
I watched her frame diminishing, as every organ failed --
I watched her as her body fought against its last exhale.

I watched so long until there was little left of me:
A broken, shriveled, devastated personality!
I cried until my tears themselves snuffed out the Light within
I wondered why would God decide to leave ME, without THEM ---

I watched her as her slender hands appeared to me one day --
Her gentle eyes looked longingly - Though no words were found to say-

I watched her walk, and twirl around, in the Presence of the King -
For a fraction of a moment, I could hear the angels sing!
I watched her as her peaceful grace offset the pain she'd bore
Her countenance shone as the sun - and I believed once more!

I cried until my tears themselves revealed God's Love within
I understood, and knew, why God took HER to be with HIM!
Now, hope arises in my heart -- Calm assurance when I pray --
As my eyes continue WATCHING -- I will see them, BOTH, one day!!

Copyright © 1996 Dorothy Womack
Used with permission of the author.

Dorothy's mother died the same year mine did,
five months later in September 1996. Dorothy
wrote this poem in December 1996. It won an
award from the National Poetry Association in 1997.
I'm sure we can all identify with the feelings of
grief Dorthy has shared in her poem.
Dorothy's book Passage into Paradise is on her
website at: http://www.geocities.com/womack47/passage.html
and now is available from iUniverse as well, along with Alzheimer's Angels,
her book of poems, and three other books (see below).
Dorothy is a writer for http://www.caregiver.com/
and her articles can also be found in the
Alzheimer's Articles section of A Year to Remember.
Email Dorothy at: womack47@charter.net
You can find all of Dorothy's books by clicking on the covers below: