The Longest Goodbye

In my family it was often said – we do not say ‘good bye’

That’s reserved for funerals, for the days we die.

Death, an uncomfortable topic and that’s understandably so

But if nothing else Humanity shares in common, it’ something we all know

I know Death and I know Grief and I thought, many of their friends

But I was not prepared to witness this, the slowest kind of ends.

One of a proverbial titian, looming over each of us... one and all

With other terminal diseases, Dementia stands impassible and tall.

I have lost a grandfather, my Papa to this eternal, hungry thief

And now my other grandfather, is also denied a dignified relief.

I will lose both these strong, inspirational, and irreplaceable men

To some something that robs them of everything they’ve ever been.

Raiding small pieces every day, until there is little left of who we knew

Helplessness is deep rooted, as in action, there is very little we can do

Besides be there to support those affected, no matter how long this takes

We must say our longest good bye and witness one of life’s cruelest heart breaks.