Silent Appeal

Trying to lighten the press of years

curbing self-pitying tears

grip on sanity tenuous

act of smiling strenuous

for a while now I've wanted to leave

give me a reprieve

my soul has long since left

aching bones bereft

kids visit begrudgingly

albeit acting lovingly

can sense when something's not real

sending out a silent appeal

Persuade them to let me go

my quality of life is gone, you know

the stroke has taken many joys

much more than even I realise

can no longer touch

want to so much

not able to read or write

trapped, stolen, my sight