Old Man

Old man shuffling about legs and mind akimbo you watch shake your head don’t recognize the trembling boy first day of school clutching mother’s hand the tentative Lothario in pursuit of that first taste of honey from trembling lips the young soldier pressed against the jungle floor rifle and crucifix clutched in his shaking hand the timid husband on his wedding night as his bride slips into their bed the new father emerging from the delivery room privy to a miracle the dad and coach huddling up his team on the back lawn before dinner the proud grandfather a new generation on his knee he is weakness he is strength he is folly he is wisdom he is a man like you