Visiting Day (Poetry)

She lives in a world that doesn’t touch on ours —
far-distant as a planet spinning calm
in a galaxy benign — no meteor showers
to threaten — not one ripple of alarm

to interfere or jolt — trip some deep switch
to change the rigid rhythm of her day —
oblivious she hums and quietly sits
her whole life spent in solitary play.

Perception can’t relate — she pays no mind
to speech — we call her name — she fails to hear.
We visit every week but she is blind
to who we are — she never sheds a tear

when we arrive or leave no faint light dawns
no recognition flickers on her face.
We push her down the path — across the lawns
the staff are kind and it’s a well-run place

but it’s not home — although in her own way
she seems content... We’re waiting for a sign
she knows we’re here — looks up as if to say
‘Hello — how are you? Yes — I’m doing fine.’