#poem, «OLD AGE»

“Even to your old age…I am he…who will sustain you…and I will rescue you”
(Isaiah 46:4)

Although my back’s not as straight any more,
and I don’t walk quite as quick,
I am still what I was,
though my hair’s not as thick…

In fact it’s all gray
with soft traces of white,
and I’ve left my beard grow,
I must look quite a sight…

Although every morning I sit
and I read my newspaper,
by the end of the day what I
read I can barely remember…

Every day, more and more, I see ghosts
In the streets,
Are they friends from my youth,
These strange phantoms I meet…

Yet I spend hours now thinking
of those that have left,
remembering places
feeling most bereft…

And now I don’t wander too far
from the house,
my eyesight betrays me,
my knees may give out…

I am lonely, quite tired,
and longing for rest,
fearful of eternity,
alone in my quest…

And in silence and truth
I pray to your ears,
I hope you will hear me,
I hope you are near…

Even when I am old and gray…I (will) declare your power…to all who are to come.
(Psalm 71:18)
(C.2024, Francisco Bravo Cabrera, 09 JUL 2024, Ilica, Turkiye)