old man

my grandfather is getting old
i can see it in his face, the hard lines, the tired eyes
yea, he's definitely getting old
and i can hear it in his voice
the meek words and soft laughter

that brings a weary smile to those hard lines and tired eyes

that bore out of a hard lived life.

my grandfather is getting old
for i can feel it in his arms
that once held me tightly, now
barely hang on for a few seconds.....

hoping to feel power in my grip

i wonder,where did those hard lines come from?

as each day passes he ages

i can sense it in his being

not too sure if he's coming or going

existing in these times

computers and gadgets, not too sure of the meaning

just being.

aging.

my grandfather is getting old

i can see it in his walk

inches on by, on his way to church

dressed all big and proud

you would never guess those were his tired eyes

and his quiet laughter that you see in the back of the church would you preacher?

yet, he's there, nothing could keep him away.

please note.

my grandfather is skin and bones

and i don't understand how such a strong spirited man

could gradually just fade away

i don't like it, not one bit!

why must my grandfather grow old?

can't he just stay how he was

patriarchal, strong and proud

a man to admire and fear

a man of great virtue and wisdom

the man i remember?

my heart sinks when i see my grandfather

because every day i live with this fear

that i'll wake up one morning and he is no longer there

that those hard lines would stay transfixed on his face

leaving the last image of him with tired eyes

and a glimpse at a hard lived life that too many forget.

but still, my grandfather is getting old and there's nothing i can do about it

i feel......powerless.