Authors OnLine -

THE CARER
by LILI HART

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He's wet his bed again
His eyes are full of pain
And hurt bewilderment.

My heart, too, aches for him
Tears clinging to the brim
Of eyes with life all spent.

I muse on father's past
Stare at the looking-glass
Recall how it all went.

Re-live his former glory
The chapters of his story
And wish I had one friend.

Fifteen weary years
Full of love and fears
And endless punishment.

But there's no time to think
You're always on the brink
Oh hod - who'll understand?

Yet no-one seems to care
No-one has time to spare
To lend a helping hand.

He's banging on the floor
There's knocking on the door
My patience's nearly rent!

I yell out: "Caller wait!"
And rush upstairs - oh great!
He lies there prone and bent.

I gently put him straight
He has so little weight
And lift him back to bed.

Down to the front-door now
I stood with puzzled brow
Then froze with shock instead

When saw the stranger's figure
My memory starts to trigger
There stood my long-lost brother.

Life is most strange indeed
For in my greatest need
God sent me-atlast-another

Kindred soul to share my plight
We embraced with deep delight.
Then upstairs to share the news

That now two of us will care
For dear father's best welfare
Praying he's not too confused