I had passed him almost everyday and a few time's nodded as I passed on my way This day was different in many ways I felt alone and lost within a world of people and pain I walked up and nodded as I usually did and paused to ask the time He glanced up with his rheummy eyes Where deep within a sparkle still shined This old man sat everyday feeding the ducks on the pond   He reached up and clasped my hand   He said, "Have you a sit down for a minute, if you can" I thought at first to refuse But something in his eyes and in the feel of his hands drew me I sat beside him alone  just the two of us and pondered the weeks events   All those years working long hours into the night all the money made went into our big grand house I had three children I loved more than all the world and my mate that held the key's to my hearts gate My life was perfect not unlike some fairy tale Before I saw it had all went  stright to hell   Now I sat broken,  worn and confused Not knowing which way to turn My Children gone All my efforts had been in vain She had walked away and brought the rain it started as a drizzle cold, wet sinking deep to my bones Then a down-pour Untill I could see no more   The Old Man sitting beside me Had said not a word But, it was in that quiteness I thought I heard   You've got to learn to forgive and let it go my Son When you do You once again will see the sun The gray clouds will pass If you'll just stop and ask Don't carry this burden all alone For if you do one day you'll see it will be You alone under these old tree's Feeding the ducks and still feeling down on your luck

 

So chin up my boy

Stand tall and proud

There is more to this life

than money and shrouds

reach down deep 

and pull up a smile

 

Having sat there

 for quite awhile

When I turned to look

I was alone 

 

I reached within

to touch my inner man

He was wounded

but had felt

the gentle touch of

The Old Man

 

©2005 Tina Clark