Unanswerable

Caring for someone – a duty or part of our understanding of life’s journey.  Either way, it’s not always easy.

Is there enough time to capture her heart?
Is there a sadness that keeps us in tears?
Is a life that we love about to depart?
Is it ‘courage’ or ‘ facing our fears’?

Was she just lonely or wanting some peace?
Was she wishing we were elsewhere?
Was she hoping that all of her pain would soon cease?
Was she looking for friendship out there?

Who will look after us when we are old?
Who will pick up the pieces?
Who will take us into their fold?
Who will clean up our faeces?

What did we really expect from old age?
What did we hope for her end?
Has she now reached the final stage?
What words will she say that offend?

Will dignity come to us when it is time?
Will anyone notice the smell?
Will anyone clean up our spew and the slime?
Is old age just not feeling well?

Whatever our end I know that we cared,
Whatever she said or she did.
Whatever we did, I know that we shared
Whatever she had left to live.

Goodnight Elizabeth.