Will you love me, even then ?

Will you love me, even then ?

When I go Gray,
No more, 'I wish', only ' i pray'.
My hands, shaky,
Simple tasks, appear tricky.
All efforts, in vain
Social appearances, a strain.
Will you love me, even then ?

My mouth, dentured,
& memory, punctured.
Everyday, there is a stranger,
looking back, from the mirror.
Words, I speak again and again,
Sanity, no longer my terrain.
Will you love me, even then ?

Time is, nothing but sand,
But when, you hold my hand.
Weak flame in my eyes, still flickers, 
A smile, however faint, appears. 
Still, what they reflect, is pain,
There is nothing more to gain.
Will you love me, even then ?

End of the journey near,
A few breaths sheer.
Our story, I cannot rewind,
But our duet, lingers behind.
Even if life ceases it's reign,
I want to hold your hand again.
Will you love me, even then ?
...........Nilima Deshpande.
07/08/2018,New Panvel.