It started small, with forgetfulness

happens to everyone

But more and more, and a few lies

to cover the error.

It wasn’t me, I’m not to blame

Everyone else is wrong

but not me

Gathering momentum,

the gaps in her mind

becoming gaping chasms

Facts, conversations

then memories, then people

all drained away into that disease of darkness

until there is nothing left.

Where is the person

when all you can see is a shell

where did she go

did she exist somewhere else

somewhere happier

I hope so

She died today, and my grief

for someone I used to know

wars against a certain relief

that her wasted body could finally go

Truth is, she died long ago

the body just did not know