Old Woman, Old Man

Shuffling by,

Held with both hands,

She within the confines of her walker

He alongside with a hand held atop her hand

To steady his now unsure legs and,

Throughout their sixty-five years,

His hand still felt most comfortable

When atop her hand.

Old man whom

At one time walked upright,

Whom at one time walked steadily upon his feet.

Old woman whom,

At one time strolled upright,

Whom at one time strolled steadily upon her feet.

Years turned back!

Time running in reverse!

Gray shaded under-eyes

Gone.

Loosely hanging flesh

Below eyes

Below chin

Low hanging

Cheeks and jowls gone.

Wrinkles gone.

White cast eyes

Once again deep brown and vivid blue.

Sagging breasts

Now upright.

Hanging stomach and wrinkly buttocks

Now gone.

Old Man

Shuffling by

Old Woman

Shuffling by

Once at one time

Youthful,

Once at one time

Lively

Once at one time

Lively and,

In their own way,

Lovely

Lovely and loved.

Shuffling by,

Held with both hands,

She within the confines of her walker

He alongside with a hand held atop her hand

To steady his now unsure legs and,

Throughout their sixty-five years,

His hand still felt most comfortable

When atop her hand.

Though the years have not

Turned back.

Though time has not

Run in reverse.

The old man’s hand

Held atop the hand of the old woman,

Each lovely in their own way.

Throughout the sixty-five years

Of marriage,

The old man,

The old woman,

Still loved,

Still in love.

 ©February 11, 2013/ Mark M. Lichterman