Cottage needs a lick of paint
but the old man isn´t bothered
Let flakes of paint blow
away layers by layers as
Calendar years.
Let wind and rain strip cement off walls
till the old stones appear
as skeletons ancient as the land.
The old man has bought new shoes
but they do not give
springs in his steps, and feet ask
for the trusted carpet slippers for
he will not go out in the rain
get his face wet in youthful jubilation.
Old age has made his home
into a maximum security prison;
there is no escape.
