My wife of 54 years is now in a nursing home because she has primary progressive aphasia. I wrote this short poem that sums up my thoughts about her condition.

Dementia
         
As night approaches, ever slowly.
The light of reason dims and fades.
What used to be a mind that does
Is now a mind that never was.
and memories that once we knew
Will vanish as the morning dew.

And yet, and yet
A spark remains
Though in the shade
Until it too
Will dim and fade.

Here is a song which expresses my feelings too. 

Just as Before

Why don't you smile as before?
Why don't you laugh as before?
Why do your eyes look at me unable to see?
If I could change anything  I would change winter to spring
I would teach your heart to sing
Just as before

If you would speak, you'd say remember me.
Not as I am but as before.
And all my memories would still remain
I will relive them once again.

I will still care as before
And I will share as before.
I will be with you each day
Just as before.
And as the days hurry bye
their may be times that we cry.
And still our love will remain
Just as before.

Haskell shares with us another poem ...

We Could Have

We could have seen our dreams come true.
We could have vowed our love anew.
We could have shared a thousand smiles.
We could have walked a thousand miles.
 
We could have seen the morning sun.
We could have slept when day was done.
We could have been a happy pair.
We could have gone most anywhere.
 
But life said no.
You cannot go.
What could have been can never be.
What cannot be you'll never see.
 
For life is cruel.
It has no shame.
It brings you joy or gives you pain
And yet we dream and plan our way.
But in the end we have no say
 
But live we must.
Each hour each day.
We fill our hearts with hope and pray.
For a peaceful tomorrow.
And a brighter today.