Ravaged By Lupus

Ravaged By Lupus

In my mind her image remains unchanged
I reach out to caress my loving wife
Slowly it crept, stalking inch by inch
Stealthily adding a pound at a time.

She looks into her mirror. shocked by her
Image, unrecognizable, stoic.
Blotchy, bloated, a token symbol
Of a Discoid Lupus ‘Butterfly Rash’.

Sometimes forgetting pain, my "love" again
In brief respite, her eyes burn within like
Lively diamonds sparkling with desire
Her mischievious smile lightens my heart.

Voice now devoid of pain, a melodic
Memento for me. Teasing, tinkling sounds
As my wife’s voice flows joyously
No longer burdened with silence or pain.

It matters not what the mirror reflects
She will not be lost in the PredniZONE
Her beauty lies within, deeper
Than the ravages of Lupus.