Not dead but not moving except the chest swell;
not dead but not seeing with white marble eyes;
not dead but not hearing the news that we tell
with no independence from now till she dies.

This is the lady was brought up too well
to complain that her eyesight was failing
so now she inhabits her own little hell
but still with no ranting or railing.

Glaucoma took one eye and gave her a hint
that she'd better look after the other
but reading her book she continued to squint,
determined to not be a bother.

So now she is blind and can't read anymore;
she's no use for diary planners,
can't live for the crossword as she did before  -
a martyr to middle class manners.