I wrote this before my mother died two years ago just a few days before she reached a hundred.

She was in a care home, and it was difficult for me to come to terms with the fact that she was in a home. It was her choice not to be dependent on her children.

Here you are all alone again
Sitting in your chair.
Did someone come and clean your room,
Did they comb your hair?

I see your breakfast on your knee
On its plastic tray
Did someone come to help you eat?
Were they called away?

Here you sit in your old blue chair
Staring into space
That clever mind encased in steel
Blankness on your face.

Can I help you conjure up
Some sweet memory
Of times gone past of other lands
When your mind was free.

Listen listen carefully,
Well beyond these dull grey walls
Can you hear the world outside.
Try to see in your minds eye.
The seagulls with their throaty cry.
Chasing in the tide.

Listen listen carefully
Hear the sounds of market stalls.
Can you hear the merchants shout?
“There’s apples pears taters too
‘Allo love these are just for you
Buy before I’m out”.

If you listen carefully,
You’ll hear on the gravel path
The weary postman’s tread
He slips the letters through the door
Can you see them on the floor
Waiting to be read

If you listen carefully,
You will hear the newborn cry
Can you see your precious child
Do you know your daughter’s name?
The hours you spent with brush to tame
Her curly hair gone wild.

Listen listen carefully
Can you look into my face
With your soft and cloudy eyes.
Do you remember me at all
That is our picture on the wall
In clear and sunny skies.

They put on your old shoes today
I can’t find the new.
And that pink shirt on the chair does
Not belong to you.

You and I have had our issues
Though we never say
Better leave them where they belong
For another day.

But now those days have gone away
We’ve not seen the light
Thinking of things we should have said
As day turns to night

I can see you are getting tired
Time for me to go
I’ll be back in the afternoon
If you want it so

What are the things you think about
When memories fade
Can you recognize who you are.
Do you feel afraid

Listen listen carefully
I will make my feelings clear
Come let me take your hand in mine
My love for you will always be
A major part of being me.
It will not fade with time

So when you cannot understand
Why you have those fears
You will not be here all alone
I will stem your tears.
When it’s your time to leave this place
At the turning tide
I’ll be here for you every day
I’ll be by your side,

So I will say goodbye for now
Lunch is on its way
I hope they feed you well this time
More than just a tray