his slippers are soft and worn
through the soles from his slow,
painstaking shuffle around the house.
from the top of the stairs, i watch silently
as it takes him a minute to move
my four strides. i touch my knees.
from my lookout, i watch the top of his
grey head move slowly, every inch a taunt.
gripping two canes, knuckles tense,
he begins the quiet fight towards the stairs.
with guilty fingers i lace my sneakers,
and i wait.
his door finally clicks shut.
i bolt down the stairs,
throw open the door, and
run for my life.
6 comments:
This poem was great and really made me put things in perspective. I think we all take simple things for granted sometimes and the way you structured this poem with the juxtaposition of two very different people made me really think about how lucky one is to have their health and the ability to move.
Yes, I agree that this poem offers a lot of perspective, and reminds us of how grateful we should be for any physical/mental abilities we have, especially in light of the plight that other less able people experience.
I agree, this is a skillful juxtaposition of age and youth. We are certainly on notice to all run for our lives...while we still can.
I like how you show us the two sides, physical impairment most like due to old age and the younger stronger knees that can move quickly. I also get the sense that the running knees are scared of the reality that lies ahead during old age. Isnt the reality of our lives, really! We do everything to avoid aging.
it gets better with each reading. i like the scenario you build and how the poem is a simple dichotomy between observing old age and the explosion of youth. Meanwhile the subject is respectful and understandably anxious
oops not to say that the first reading wasn't good. just that i like it more and more with each reading ugh , rabbit hole i crawl u down
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