This Older Age

A gray-haired gentleman
hangs onto specs
lap cradling morning’s paper
trailer canopy handy
when 32 C comes visiting,
flowerpots sprinkling
the small lot
Impatiens and Gladiolas
blurring his view.
Muffins asleep at his feet
Ida standing by the sofa
cruel Alzheimer's taking root.

On the swing next door
children are singing
Old MacDonald has a brain,
verses changed, voices
laughing and carrying on.
A smile warms his wrinkled face
kids living in faraway places
thinks about what’s left of family
Ida, John and Muffins,
still alive and kickin’ at the can.

© Richard L. Provencher