Fading Away..

As I saw the woman in front of me,
I went back 8 years to the last time I met her,
Out of all the ladies assembled there,
My toddler had run to her, and refused to let go.

Always seen in a neatly pleated saree,
Her diamond earrings would shine from a distance,
Vibhuti on her forehead and a twinkle in her eyes,
There was something so charming about her.

She was the grandma of the whole colony!
Bhajan recitals or festival celebrations,
Slokas, rituals, recipes or home remedies,
She was the go-to person for all of these!

The best thing about her was a genuine smile, With concern, regard, and warmth for the other person,
She won't let you go without a nice word of advice, well-meant in every way.

She was a great cook,
And had everyone eating out of her hand,
Yes, pun intended!
Never a typical mother in law, 
Rather a mother held in high regard.

She was a voracious reader,
You could ask her about anything under the sun, All the hardships she withstood over the years,
Were hidden away without any tears.

She was the Lady of the house,
Her presence was so warm and comforting,
Her childlike innocence and affable nature,
Attracted everyone towards her.

As I saw the woman in front of me,
I realised she's not here anymore,
Her quiet confidence and humour,
Had been replaced by confusion and deterioration.

She has forgotten familiar faces or ties,
She doesn't remember night or day and has no concept of time.
Her ironed saree is hanging in the cupboard, Replaced by a disheveled nightie which she keeps tugging at.

Her coffee has to be given in sips,
She doesn't know hot or cold,
She doesn't remember to wash herself,
She has even forgotten how to eat.

Where has she vanished?
She looks like her, sounds like her, 
But this is not her, 
Is it an impersonator?

A shadow, a shell, a frame
Is all what is left,
Her listless, shifting eyes are looking,
For something, she doesn't even know.

She has no more stories to tell,
No recollections, no reminiscences,
She has nothing to look forward to,
Only old age and an uncertain future.

I can see her slipping away,
Her body is a cage for her,
Her mind disoriented,
Dementia has reduced her,
To next to nothing.

As Twilight sets in, and the pink sky looms,I wonder how she'll spend her twilight years?
I felt guilty for not being able to help her,

But will I be able to bring her back, if I do so?

Sometimes I feel "His" unfairness,
Why can't he set her free of her misery,
But almost immediately, I feel the way my toddler would have felt...

I want to run to her and refuse to let go.