She sits at the table
Watching as the drama
Plays out before her.
Childlike she watches
As the goblets are filled
Though a haze in her mind
Not caused by the wine
Bedazzled by age
No cards up her sleeve
Words have escaped
The mind of today
Though once she was sharp
Could catch any magician
Who dared to use prestidigitation
To try to fool her.
But still knows what
Some of us forget
The formula for caretakers:
Kindness is right
And taking an old lady's
Dessert is wrong
Before she finishes it.

Laura R
5-11-03