struggle in (a stolen) bed

i saw my sister lay very ill in bed
slogging for him many years on bed
her display was disturbed
and saw matter multiplied

grasped at theorist teacups

also visionary wineglasses
instead of hard realities
her hearing was impaired

her memory too was injured

her speech was unintelligible
when she came round to be helped
it was necessary to keep a note pad

that she might indicate in writing

what she could not specify in speech
but her handwriting was bad
and she an indifferent speller

with her husband, Tom

more than a lethargic reader
causing bizarre barrier
between the husband and wife

that i was called in to solve 

administration of mutton
instead of that medicine
the substitution of Tea

for Tom

and the baker for bacon
were among the mildest of my mistakes
leaving my sister to struggle in bed