her legs refused to stand
she could not remember where to go.
she would not speak
her words had become unlatched.
food was not important
no taste would remain.
and yet he sat with her
refusing to let it all disappear.

the photograph on the mantle
able bodies posing on the beach
hair blowing and limbs stretched
muscles firm and skin tinted by sun
taunted him while she napped
with drool crusted on her face

if memories implode while the mind lives on
how can she continue?
a mere echo of life in aged body
his love their sole support.