Unsteady steps as she walked toward the
Ditch that borders our development.
Her mind is mostly gone and I knew she
Was lost.
She didn't hear me when I called so I ran after
Her and grabbed her hand before she
Could slip down the steep embankment to
The dry creek bed.
"I'm your neighbor," I told her. "I'll take you
Home."
"I need to find my mother. She's here
Somewhere."
"We'll find your son," I said.
As I led the bewildered woman across the
Lawn she smiled at me and said, "You are so
Sweet."
"You're sweet too," I responded.
In her cognizant days she was warm and
Welcoming.
I opened the screen door of her condo and
Helped her inside.
When I saw her son asleep in his recliner I
Realized how his mom had slipped away
Unnoticed.
I didn't have the heart to wake him out of
His slumber.
His burden is a heavy one.
When I checked back later and saw that
The front door was tightly shut I knew
My feeble frail friend was safe,
For now.