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.

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.

I've written another poem this time about life in general. I call it June and December. I still had my wife in mind when I wrote it.

June and December
 I still remember
June and December
It seems so long ago.
June was the month for laughter.
December the cold wind blows
 
We were still young.
With love all around us.
Shielding us from the cold.
June seemed to last forever.
December was put hold.
 
But time swiftly passes.
Constantly changing
Not always for the good
It was the month of June
But December would come to soon.
 
I feel the cold wind
Starting to blow now.
Turning the Green to Gray.
June had just slipped away.
Now December is here to stay.
 
Although it's December
We must remember
Life will go on someway.
All we can be is hopeful
That June will return one day.
 

I Miss You
      
I miss you
Though you are near to me
I miss you
Though you're not here for me.
I'm with you so you are not alone.
I miss you
When I go home.
 
I miss you
Though you seem far away.
I miss you
Though I am here each day.
It hurts me when I must say goodbye
I miss you.
Sometimes I cry.
 
I miss you
Though you can't speak to me
I miss you
Though you don't know it's me.
And when I ask "why should this be?"
There is no answer to comfort me.
 
It's sad but it's true
It is what it is
There's nothing more I can do.
But I'll hope for the best
And will pray for the rest.
It's the only thing left to do.