I Feel You Slipping Away

I am with you,

But you are not near.

I talk to you,

But I do not hear you respond.

The joyful tones in your voice

Are rarely heard.

Your speech at times is slurred

And filled with thoughtful pauses.

The energetic gleam in your eyes

Is fatigued.

Your confident presence

Makes room for fear.

Your posture

Is stooped in defeat.

“What is wrong with your dad?”

So many have asked,

Only to recount some discouraging tale

Of misspoken words or confused behavior.

Is it so hard to see

Why I am so sad?

I feel you slipping away from me.