Grandma

Her train of thought derails
sinking deeper into the soft cushions of her brain
ripped away from familiar tracks
she slips between the cracks
bumping into rock-hard feelings she meant to tuck away for good
a blue-bruised psyche unveiled underneath
the naked vulnerability weakens her knees
softens her speech
until her pride comes to a screeching halt

It feels like salt
poured into the wounds of her seasoned mind
she is being redefined
as control slips from her hands and shatters
thoughts refuse to gather
the lights dim in her gray matter
now she is in the dark
but we can finally see her

Her mouth starts to utter
words she was once too proud to speak
no more critique
with a new hue in her old eyes, she says
"thank you for being here
you know i love you, right?"