Stay A While - A little Rhyme

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Stay A While.

by P.B. Phillips

Every day before my late shift starts

We share a pot of Twinings tea and a plate of jam filled tarts.

Me with my tales of family, that you try your best to recall

You remember the far gone past, but me, ruefully not at all.

A precious hour together, spent in our special oddball way

A pray for a treasured moment of knowing, each and every day.

Do you remember we would stroll arm-in-arm, along the gently lapped shore

No. At least you have a view of our cove, a place we both adore.

Sit wherever you wish, inside or out, we are directed by the weather

I don’t care where we are, as long as we’re together.

You nod and close your eyes as I unburden the secrets of my life

Knowing you’ll never tut and scold me or cause me any strife.

I know that our time is running out, each visit you are you a little less

Without you father dear, I’ll become a loneful, heart-broke mess.

The carer rings the afternoon bell, this visiting time is over

As ever you offer me your lucky matchbox, the one with a four leaf clover.

With the kiss of a daughter’s love, upon your wrinkled brow

You ponder as you squeeze my hand, you know of me somehow.

With a backward wave I face another night at my demanding job

Hoping your love for me, the whitewash of dementia, will never ever rob.

P.B. Philips.