Tuesday, November 24, 2015

POEM - Balcony Morning

Across the way
I look down
On the 9th floor balcony
Where each morning they sit
The aging husband and wife
He reads the paper
Sips coffee
Swaddled in his white robes

She is dressed more brightly
And each morning he is there
The dutifully son
Caring for her

She is old
With bones so sore
Which he massages and moves
Lifting her arm this way and that
Helping to keep the stiffness away
Communing with his beloved matriarch
In the dawning warmth
Helping her to still be her
She must move
Much more than the old man

Next he will comb her flowing black hair
She can no longer comb for so long
This ritual continues
For most of the morning
As the son tirelessly cares for her

Father sits and reads
Comments about news and such
Asks for a refill, and another
Remains until the heat is too much
Only to relocate inside
To wait again

As she cooks the midday meal

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