Destiny in the Mind

His lips create upside-down phrases

that climb the wall like

a reverse waterfall,

dementia holding on tightly --

he sits quietly in the room

staring at a horizon

without barriers nor direction,

lost in faraway places

family talking

quietly of today’s events,

tomorrow’s

subject -- a picnic.

He’s like a lost child in his

entrapment, hands monotonous

in their movements

playing with plastic wheels

on the fire truck, a new occupation,

borrowed from

one of many nephews --

begins to walk in growing circles

sees shadows

outside the window – someone

he knows he thinks,

“She’s wearing a pretty dress”

third time reported.

After a lifetime of fishing lobster

and building family --- now

on the outside looking in,

giggles in five-year-old thoughts

and we sing with him.