A Reflection

Gradual, subtle

Yet harmful effects are felt:

Insidious loss.

Not really noticed

Cumulative, negative:

Insidious loss.

Cunning, treacherous

Appears innocuous:

Insidious loss.

Slowly, secretly

Stealthily and beguiling:

Insidious loss.

References: various online dictionary definitions of insidious.

The concept of “insidious loss” came to me after an online chat with fellow former caregivers (& now widows), who have experienced the long-term effects on our marriages and relationships of living with, and caring for, a loved one with Parkinson’s. I can’t yet put it into words but somehow, to me, insidious loss has a different feel from chronic sorrow, ambiguous loss or anticipatory grief.