He didn’t know what it meant
when, eyes pitiful,
doctor said:
parkinson’s

common disease
wrecks, wracks lives
yet much to hope—
apparently.

She didn’t know what it meant
when, eyes screwed,
husband whined
deafness

another sign of age
comes to all, all in good time
one ear to another
infecting.

When her walk faltered 
as staff he stood
to lean and to love
supporting.

She showed, never told
as his ears waned
for speech had lost
sensibility.

Trembled her throat
only trebles escaping
with none to talk
the mute.

World fell silent
as extinguished flame
calmed his mind
undisturbed.

They didn’t know what it meant,
a balance in life,
for time deemed obsolete
communication.