grizzly

grizzled

his skin was not that of a
beautiful youth
the lines told many stories
a life lived
making love
waking up
sunrise
sunset
break up
and make up

loving, longing, missing, losing

steel gray hair
the youth washed out
was it beautiful

his nose
was pitted
blotchy
who would see beauty in such a nose

his teeth
discoloured
a legacy of red wine
and cigarettes
no hollywood smile
for him

who would now kiss
the lips that surrounded that
mouth

his beard
thick and gnarly
was that beautiful
would soft hands
stroke him
would soft lips caress him

did he care