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Old Man
1981
Old man,
What have they left you now?
Have they left you your mind,
That once cut them to shreds –
The piercing intellect so ready
To spew out those sharp answers.
Old man,
Where is it now?
Is it still in there, hidden away
Beneath the mindless media syrup?
Have they left you your spirit
That once challenged the mountains --
The brashness, the dashing flair,
That drank them all under the table.
Old man,
Where is it now?
Is it still alive in there
Under that heavy cloud?
Have they left you your body
That ran so far and so swift
That massive chest and those arms so strong
That carried her over the threshold that very first night.
Old man,
Where is it now?
It’s all been melted away
From that toothpick strapped in the wheelchair.
Have they left you your love
That won over all their hearts:
A small baby, a handsome dog, a fair lady –
They basked in your radiance, not long ago.
Old man,
Where is it now?
As you scowl so mean.
Is it plastic and dead like the rest of your world?
Have they left you your splendid face
That once wooed a hundred princesses.
Those noble features so rugged and fine
The envy of men wherever you went.
Old man,
Where is it now?
That stringy hair, that hooked nose and toothless grin;
It’s been all sucked away, by people so perfect.
Have they left you your pride –
You were once so justly proud.
They all looked up to you, from baby to man:
A man of honour, beauty, and honesty.
Old man,
Where is it now?
The babytalk nurses, feeding you pablum
Have squeezed it from you, every last morsel.
Have they left you your hope
That saw an endless future –
That spoke of great grandchildren,
And a world of goodness and light.
Old man,
Where is it now?
Yes, it’s buried so fearfully deep
In the gray concrete beneath your feet.
Have they left you your soul
That lifted you in times of need
Your very being, your lifeblood’s flow
Breathed into your once newborn body.
Old man,
Where is it now?
Has it already left you, escaping the pain,
Or has it turned to cement, like the rest of the world?
Old man
What have they left you now?
Have they left you….
Anything….at all?
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