Old Man Old Woman

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
Still felt most comfortable
When atop her hand

Throughout the sixty-five years
Of marriage
The old man
The old woman
still love...

Still in love.

©September 30, 2011 / Mark M. Lichterman