Are there words to
Describe the visit,
Greeting my big brother
In the small, sparse
Room he now occupies
In the mental facility?
Closing the door helps
To tone down,
But not silence the sound
Of the woman's wild
Shouts across the hall.
I try to steer the
Conversation to our
Childhood days so
We can still connect
Our thoughts.
Once so wise and competent,
He wavers now between
Fantasy and reality.
Seemingly,
Overnight, his mind was
Gone,
And treatment hasn't
Really helped.
Are there words to
Describe saying good-by,
Waiting for the door to
Be unlocked and then
Secured again as I
Walk free and my
Big brother stays
Behind,
Standing forlorn in the
Hallway watching me
Go.
Are there words?
No.