Trying to lighten the press of years

curbing self-pitying tears

my grip on sanity tenuous

the act of smiling strenuous

for a while now I’ve wanted to leave

give my body a reprieve

my soul has long since left

my aching bones bereft

my kids visit begrudgingly

albeit acting lovingly

easy to sense when somethings not real

I send out a silent appeal

Persuade the doctors  to let me go

my quality of life is gone, you know

the stroke has robbed me of many joys

much more than even I realise

I can no longer touch

I want to so much

not able to read or write

trapped, stolen, my sight

Ironically I can only communicate with my eyes

and their pleading for you to quicken my demise

an extra pill now and then

a wrong dose of medicine

I resent your care

the way my grandkids stare

this home is my cell

can’t you tell?

Let me fall into a deep sleep

you won’t hear a sound, not a peep

I’ll go knowing, I was wrong, your love was real

you finally heard my silent appeal