I watched how her "memories" shredded holes through ours
I watched how her story became the only one that mattered
I watched how her story became the only one told
I watched how we carried ourselves apologetically surrounded
By the tidal wave of second-hand confusion
And aggression.

I watched her dementia tear us apart
I watched the disease
Silent and deadly
Drain us of our lives,
Making itself stronger.
I watched it crawl up the back of my father
And settle on his shoulders.

I watched this disease
Disgusting-
Proud-
Make us hate who we loved.
We hated the hollow woman we told ourselves we cared for
Even though the woman we loved was long gone.

I heard the yells and agitation
Take the caretaker and replace them with a
Violent, judgmental gargoyles,
Watching over the puppet in the bed-
Waiting for Dementia's next command.
I felt my strength-
My life-
My mind
My mother's
My brothers
My aunts and my uncle's-
Our time
Our love,
Stolen by an abuser no one saw coming.

I saw dementia changed who I love.
I saw her dementia tear us apart.