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Her Last Dance

The fading embers of her mind

Drift away to a long-ago time
To shrouded visions of some young girl
A time of wonder, a world to unfurl

Through fields she would dance humming a tune
Losing herself amidst the sweet scent of bloom
A fragrant-filled-feast for her lungs to consume
Within the wonderful freedom of nature's playroom

And as the shimmering Sun went down
She would dance through the streets
Of her drab little town

But a community forged
In this grey little place
Neighbours and friends
She could never replace

Some faces so clear 
She can still see their smiles
Feel that warmth of affection
She felt as a child

But most are now echoes
Veiled ghosts in her mind
A way of life and its people
Lost somewhere in time...

But, she continued to dance
This sweet, little girl
Took life as it came
Made her own little swirl

One day when she slipped
A hand caught her fall
Funny how sometimes
A look says it all 

And their hands caressed
For many a year
Sounds of children and laughter
Filling the air

Such a merry waltz they danced
To a tune they made together
A mere whistle to the world
To her, a symphony forever ...

But an unforgiving disease
Found him one day
His soul lost its glow
As he faded to grey

But she held his hand tight
And he felt her despair
'Life is a dance,' he smiled
Then was no longer there

So she danced on without him
For a few more years
Knowing the memories they'd shared
Would always be hers 

But she started to drift
And her body to quiver
Sweet memories seeped out
Like a fast-flowing river

Her world became smaller
Confusing and dark
The rhythm all gone
From her fluttering heart

Her children were strangers
Kissing her brow
But she knew she was waiting
For someone
Somehow...

And so here she lies
In this unfamiliar place
But someone's returned
To put a smile on her face...

'Come dance with me,' he says
'Amidst the sweet scent of bloom'
And like blossom they float
Back to Nature's playroom.

End.

dementialifelossLove

◄ The Thief of Breath and Hugs (part 1)

Political Irrigation! ►

Comments

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Auracle

Tue 2nd Apr 2024 12:57

Life could be like this.

You are a lucky person, Stephen Atkinson.

Wishing you the good in life.

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julie callaghan

Wed 23rd Sep 2020 18:55

Just caught up with this one, such a beautiful story of everlasting love.

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Stephen Atkinson

Tue 22nd Sep 2020 20:52

Thank you very much, Vautaw, you were the first to welcome me to WOL & that gave me encouragement from the start any comments are appreciated good or bad. Thanks again for such a wonderful comment x

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victoriavautaw@gmail.com

Tue 22nd Sep 2020 20:25

This is a masterpiece. Great poem from the heart. Thank you for sharing it with us. ❤️

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Stephen Atkinson

Tue 22nd Sep 2020 20:07

Wow, just got in from a rather busy old day to find so many wonderful & encouraging comments on my poems!

Thank you Paul Sayer for setting the ball away with your comments! Perhaps I should sign you as an agent ?. So glad you enjoyed them and giving me the encouragement to continue as I'm never sure if they're any good. Much appreciated.

Flavia, again, thank you for your kind comments, always grateful. It's a poem close to my heart do glad you enjoyed it.

Nicola, goosebumps are good!
And yes, the lines of some poems flow quite well as they mostly did on this, and then there's those, as you'll know, that are like pulling teeth! Thank you very much.

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Flavia Gordon

Tue 22nd Sep 2020 18:17

So many wonderful lines! Simply a pleasure and so effortless to read. Beautiful poem Stephen.

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Nicola Hulme

Tue 22nd Sep 2020 15:48

Oooh I have goosebumps - what fabulous story telling. I love these lines:

His soul lost its glow
As he faded to grey...

Her world became smaller
Confusing and dark
The rhythm all gone
From her fluttering heart

Fabulous and stirring. Well done.

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Stephen Atkinson

Fri 18th Sep 2020 06:43

Thank you Shifa x

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Shifa Maqba

Fri 18th Sep 2020 02:50

Sad, but beautiful!

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