Do not be afraid to approach:
I am still me.
Though I peer out through the dimmed port holes
of a weakened vessel,
I still see you as I always have:
with eyes of love.

You are an island of rest in this vast sea:
You remember me
as I truly am- or was-
I need to hear our stories, for
I hardly know myself, but I am still me.

You remember a man of strength and wisdom:
in my prime, I did it all.
I knew everything.
You could come to me with any question
and we would solve them all.
In your tears. you ran to me,
and I could hold you high.
I would do it all again, if only I could,
for I am still me.

I would still enjoy my pastimes, though I cannot
perform the simplest gestures to carry them out.
But I could watch and listen again,
if only someone would care enough to join me.
I can respond!
I can still love people…and things…
I am still…me.

Please, don’t leave me locked away
because I am
too much trouble.
I know I need help and you do, too.
For, I am still me.

No strangers will suffice
to make my life livable again.
Only the love of family and friends,
as always, will sustain my soul.

Only those who have known me
will see me as I truly am.
Help me! Believe in me!
So I can still be me.

See me with the eyes of faith:
in spite of the disabilities.
Look beyond my weaknesses:
and be my will and arms.
Gently guide me through the day:
each one can still be rich.
For I am still me.

If you only knew
how hard it is
to ask for everything­
and even so, I can’t.
I can only wait and hope
that you will want to be
My captain,
my servant,
my friend:
all because you remember
I am
still
me.