Is he in there

Is he in there.

Is he trying to speak
and he hears the non-sense
words coming out,
but that's not what he
tried to say
and he knows
it's wrong
but he can't make his
mouth work.

Is he like a paralyzed
man trying to move,
knowing how to move,
knowing he can't now.

Is he trapped in there like that.
Does he know the disease is trapping him.

Hearing what he says doesn't make sense.
Hearing us speak back to his nonsense.
Saying the words over and over,
hearing them come out wrong.
Wanting to say the words
so we will know he is in there
trying to get out.

Is he in there
knowing he can't?