A DIFFICULT subject, but Tom Bryan's poem has compassion at its core.

It comes from his 2012 collection Until the Roof Falls In (Indigo Dreams Publishing, £6.99). Bryan was born in Winnipeg, Canada, and lives in Kelso in the Scottish Borders.

DEMENTIA

She sprints into the rain

while he trails, zipping his jacket,

eyes on her hat, bright in the grey.

She has forgotten to lock the door again.

She smiles brighter than her winter hat,

now absurd on this summer's day.

Seasons roll into one,

in daily rituals of biscuits and tea.

His eyes must guard the frailty

of her second childhood. Staring

beyond pensions and grown children

into yet another day's loyalty.

He concludes it is not the worst

thing to die before you are buried.

Tired, he lingers at the gate.

She had better go first.