Feathers

She is a collector
Of small stones and
Feathers which she uses
To adorn our home where she
Strives against the aging of her
Mind fighting each lapse in her
Perfection she unpretentiously
Has taken for granted all the
Decades of academic and
Social brilliance modest
Well-spoken, always
Dependable, until
Now faced with
Memory loss
Most would
Accept as
Normal
But
Not by
Her standard
Of excellence set
Higher than most of us.
She finds refuge in her red
Dog, black & white cats, and
Me, as we all help each other
Through each day, though
Her children do not help
Her as she hoped they
Would, I remind her
That if you want
Appreciation
Get a dog.
And,
To
Cope,
Small
Stones
And feathers
Found on walks
Through the fogs
And rainy mists
On hillsides of
Palm & pine
With her
Dog
And me.