Trust

We were together
Over 50 years,
A seamless pair
Devoted, two halves
Of one couple,
She spoke for me
I spoke for her,
Her dementia made
Me responsible for
Her last seven years
Then she passed.
Now I am in love,
Becoming half of
A new couple and
I sometimes forget
We cannot yet speak
As one for each other,
Trust must be built
Over time and the
Experiences of life.
Though memory may
Have dulled my own
Recollection and only
Dimly do I begin to
Recall I never spoke
For her nor she for me
Unless we had agreed
Upon a subject prior
To any questions to us.
A new lesson I must
Learn all over again,
To hold my tongue
Not speak for her
To take the time
To grow together
And even then
To consult for
Consensus
Before I
Speak.
When her grown
Children ask me why,
In her presence,
I love her
I will say
I was lonely
I fell in love with her
I am thrilled by her smile
I want to be become
Half of a couple with her
I long to be near her
I care for her happiness,
But I cannot,
Of course,
Speak for her.