SOLSC #11 How to describe aging?

I am participating in the
March 2018 Slice of Life Story Challenge (SOLSC).
All participants are writing about one moment, one part of their day, every day for thirty-one days.

A big thank you to Two Writing Teachers for providing this unique opportunity

for teacher-writers to share and reflect.

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A visit to see my elderly parents last weekend has led to much reflection and this sad poem -

Being 88

Together,

forgetting.

Dad

Silent, distant, foggy

Sitting still, in yesterday's stained T-shirt, slippers, always the same chair, 

Staring at the TV, remote in hand,

The music channel playing, but the TV on mute

Every few minutes, he clicks on the sound,

Then, a minute or so later, he clicks the sound off.

Sitting still, in yesterday's stained T-shirt, slippers, always the same chair,

Silent, removed, foggy.

Mom

Unclear, unsure, confused,

Walking about, in her flannel PJs, with tussled, unbrushed hair

Shuffles about the house, searching,

Not knowing what she is looking for, where to go,

Picks up, puts down, the newspapers, the mail, the magazines,

Glances out the window, stops at the door, pauses at Dad’s chair,

Walking about, in her flannel PJs, with tussled, unbrushed hair

Unclear, unsure, confused.

Forgetting,

together.