I have to feed Alfred

I have a dear friend, her mind's gone away
No longer remembers the time of the day.
The dread and the anguish I see in her eyes
"Just why am I here?" we tell her white lies.

"I do want to go home, please open the door
I've got to feed Alfred, my cat, I adore.
I'll just get my bag, to the street I will go
To buy him some food, he'll be hungry you know".

"I want to get out, but the door they have locked"
She looks straight at me; "but your name I've forgot".
"I can't understand, just what I have done
To be kept here, please tell me, do you know dear one?"

Her memory loss started a few years ago
At first, it was small things that she didn't know.
Then over the last year a rapid decline
Became quite befuddled an ominous sign.

Still driving her car, she would park in the street
But then, she'd forget where we were to meet.
So, we'd give her a ring to guide her our way
And when she arrived "Oh silly me" say.

It got to the stage where she no longer drove,
At home was a danger with things on the stove.
Her health soon went downhill, her memory now lost
In care she's been placed; but oh what the cost.

Her mind is still active, she can't understand
Why she has to stay here, it's not what she planned.
Jean begs and she pleads," can't you see where I'm at
I really must go home to feed Alfred my cat".

And so I must leave her, my eyes fill with tears
I think of the good times we've shared through the years.
Although her mind's left her, Dementia has won
We'll still come to visit, for she's our 'dear one'

Christine 3/1/2019