THE OLD MAN
The old man sat still by his door, hardly seen at all,
Crouched between the window and ivy covered wall.
All muffled up although the sun was warm that day,
It was though that inside he had already passed away.
His gnarled hands held a book, did his eyes see
The words there? It did not seem that way to me,
Lost in his thoughts maybe of better days gone by,
I called and gave a wave hoping to catch his eye.
A voice inside said, go up and say a quick hello,
But there were many places I really had to go,
But it came to be again so I could not disobey
And thought that just a few moments I’d stay.
He patted the seat beside him and shook my hand,
They were icy cold, he smiled I tried to understand
His words but the accent was thick and very strong,
So I listened intently to leave him I knew was wrong.
Slowly I knew what he was saying words came to me
And could answer with confidence and so quietly,
Bring your family to dinner for I miss children you see
My wife and children died and I’m alone completely.
I invited him to first to come to us a meal to take
And from some of his loneliness take a little break
We fetched him that evening he shared in the fun
And it was as if a new life for him had again begun.
The visit to him was quite a shock a wonderful surprise
A four course meal was spread right before our eyes,
He no longer sat all huddled between door and wall,
No he was too busy preparing meals for when we did call.
(Millicent) Ann Margetson 13 June 2006