All of a Sudden
By: AM Hellberg Moberg
About The Poem
This poem was inspired by a bittersweet conversation I shared with my mother after she developed dementia. I originally wrote it in my native Swedish and then also created versions in English and Spanish. I would be happy to share the versions in Swedish and Spanish as well.
The Poem
All of a sudden
You faded
Maybe it began with
The drastic dimming of the light in your eyes
Your gaze grew quiet
Without a spark
You turned your gaze inward
Wandering back
Towards that internal world of yours
To the safe embrace of your childhood relived
Your face changed
I hardly recognised you
Mutual strangers, together in a room
Lingering words, searching in the darkness
“Am I your aunt?”
“No, you are my mother.”
“Oh, do I have such a lovely daughter?”
All of a sudden
You faded
All of a sudden
Lasted many years
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