I wrote this in September of 2019 just after my father made the decision to place his long time girlfriend into memory care.
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Memories of my mother
who wasn’t
She’s not here any more
For years she tore
the flesh and bone of his soul
Ceaseless berating
belittling and blaming
became
His comfort
No more
He’ll remember those glimpses of good
The in between
Moments when she put away her guns
and loved him
for who he was
A good man
who’s finally drawn the line
He’ll do what’s right
Not what just looks right from the outside
He tried
and tried
and tried
He’ll honor all those years
Let her have some dignity while there’s still time
He’ll say goodbye