waiting...

she sits by her window, staring into the emptiness

the evening sun wraps a shadow on her image

she looks fragile in the dim light

all alone, in a world of her own

time has no meaning

her mind is going, her confusion scares her

where am I? who are you?

who am I? she asks herself

in her room are all her memories

photos from the past, of another life

of another time, when she was whole

and her life had meaning

no longer does she have to worry about meals to prepare

no longer does she have to fuss over a sick child

or stand supportive behind her man

those days are over, her job is done

her husband, the love of her life, is gone

her child thousands of miles away, raising children of her own

the friendships fade, she is forgotten

so she sits by her window, waiting

waiting for the day when she can join her true love once again

waiting for the day when her lonely existence will be over

but life goes on – day after day, year after year

she’s a prisoner caught in a web, longing to be free

her family visits when they can

and she basks in the warmth of their love

but all too quickly the visit is over

and the rooms seem more empty than before

back to the window and the rocking chair

back and forth, to and fro

breath in, breath out

she rocks in her chair and waits