Losing Marbles

When your addled brain slumbers
Safely succumbed in dreams,
Dwells on youthful games
Played in old days gone,
Skipping free into world
Where riches unfold
In the flicker of your eye
Mummy kissing the boy goodnight,
Of memories delightfully tangent
Supple skin in multitude to caress
Brings a smile to your face
As you curl up tight,
Safe.
It’s a saving grace.
A sweet goodnight.

Daylight
Confused you struggle
It’s all so dim
Inside there…..shadows dart craftily,
In and out swiftly
Casting doubt.
Names linger on your lips
Forgotten in a murmur,
Mum and Dad whisper
“Son, where’s your manners?!”
You mop sweat from your brow.
Bewildered you shout,
Flapping like a trapped bird
Snared, lashing out,
“Goddamn it! Let me out, you’ve no right to keep me here
The troops are coming, Bastards you are, set me free……
God awful Burma, this war, you’re not forsaking me!”
Hands rest in your lap, head to one side,
“Where’s my tea?
Did I read the paper?
Where did I put my glasses?
I can’t remember, dear, dear me!”
Peck like a pigeon
Morsels tasteless on china plate,
Drink up, don’t dribble,
Remember to swallow
It’s pretty simple,
Toilet time, too late
Wipe the tears drenching your face,
Change clothes for hundredth time today,
Sit back, flickering channels,
Sounds disturbing, penetrating
Distressing, turn it over,
“Gardening?! No dear,
It’s raining!”
Get your wellies anyway,
Struggle to mould feet,
Trampling across sodden earth
In search of growth,
Vegetable patch long dispersed.
Follow, protect, guard, house you
We may as well all be
Drowning
In this misery.
Daddy, Daddy…….DADDY!
It’s me,
Gather you to my heart,
This is not how
It’s meant to be,
Where you’ve gone?