It slowly crawls behind a person 

Like a shadow in the early stages of life

The few who leave early 

do not get consumed by something so divine 

Like a leech, it sucks away all that is well for it to survive

Getting stronger each time a month rushes by

 

Many believe it will not happen to them

That something as simple as losing the keys-

forgetting to take their medicine-

being forced into a retirement home-

Is normal for a senior coming to age

 

However, by then it has already breached into the mind

Slowly taking away each small memory 

And making its way to the larger

sacred fabrications that make them who they are

 

And when their loved ones visit month after month

they notice a ghost seems to have possesed their very own beloved one

And quietly the dark leech consumes all that is left

Filled with every memory and leaving the empty body to rest