Diagnosed with ALS

I want to say, “What’s wrong? You’re looking down.”
when I see a slight glimpse of disappointment.
I want to rub their back, squeeze their hand, even if for a moment
so they could know I’m here, there is nothing they should fear.

Robbed of my forms of expression
bit by bit I sink into a void
Memories fill with gloom. I don’t want that.
I’m still me.
I remember how your eyes wavered and filled with salt water.
I laughed and shrugged it off, “It’s fine,” I said,
“Our time together is not over.”

My kids bicker over who found it first.
This is one of the last –
times you’ll see them squabble.
with a low hum, embed this memory to my bones.

It’s about time,
Started to pray for a miracle,
To undo the cage my body turns into
I miss the simple act, to chew
Hey you,
don’t give up.

I take too long to write sentences by blinking my eyes.
Mirage, I blinked twice,
No, no, it’s not ‘L’, its ‘I’
we’ll have to start again when the word doesn’t make sense.
My mind limited by this fence.

Offered a trial of a brain implant
To communicate clearly is what I want
Oh the possibilities, mind uncaged, and bubbling magnanimity!
most of all, I’ll be able to communicate clearly with my family.