Often alone, even on Visiting Day,

she wandered the halls in her threadbare robe

shuffling heel to toe, heel to toe

and muttered nevermind, no nevermind, no



Always following the same path

driven by melodies of her youth

she’d find a patch of sunlight

there by the windows covered in bars



the scent of roses overpowered the antiseptic

the laughter of children blocked moans of the dying

friendly faces replaced the stares of strangers

for a moment, she was home



Even the most casual observer bore witness

as her transformation emerged

Her frail arms became supple and her steps,

no longer planted in pain, became steady



Lost in a world of her making

that wide smile reached the sparkle

in her unseeing eyes as she vanished

into the safety of familiar memories



And in the vast landscape her mind created

she’d meet the only man she’d ever loved

waiting each day with a bouquet of roses

and the same sweet song



Nevermind your troubles, my darling dear

No nevermind your sorrows, I’m here

You have my heart wherever you go

My beautiful wife, don’t shed a tear

I’ll make all the sadness disappear



Heel to toe, heel to toe,

they’d dance together

a love stronger than time was all it took

heel to toe, heal to tow her burdens away





photo: Pixabay



prompts: #aseverythingturnsgray, WordPress Daily Post, #SableSwanVerse