Destiny and the Mind

Lips moving
unintelligible phrases
climbing up the wall like a
waterfall---
Alzheimers a hold of him

he sits not so quietly in the room
family surrounding
each talking excitedly
day’s events and the subject
of tomorrow.

He’s anxious to join in
regardless of the childhood of his
entrapment
their tolerance strained

up and around
notices each time someone passes
outside the window
‘she’s wearing that pretty dress
again’ third time reported.

Once fished and built houses
in his prime---now
on the outside looking in
a giggling five year old mind

blinks a smile stands and
does a little wiggle
finally noticed within the crowd.

‘I’m a fly now’ he surrenders
and we agree that he is.
‘Is that a light on outside---oh it’s
the sun’

more questions arrive
‘Who’s that lady? Is she a coyote?’
and we pray for him.

© Richard L. Provencher