Aged

I observe the delicate
Condition of the aged as
I sit in my local cafe sipping
Tea with lemon noting how close
To the edge we all are when we
Near the end of life still blind
To how close we are but not
Overly concerned as day-to-
Day life seems just as dear
As ever though I realize
Some of us pass away
Content while others
Linger in increasing
Discomfort to our
Own selves but
Worse to those
Around us a
Burden to
Loved
Ones
And staff
Who patiently
Await the relief
The end does bring.
To handle aging with
Grace is rare but I have
Seen it in calm eyes that
Smile at me as I pass either
On a gurney rolling in or walking
Out of hospital and I smile back
Giving them a thumbs-up sign
To cheer them in our silent
Agreement we are ready
To face whatever is
Next even if it is
No more than
Shutting our
Eyes for a
Last well
Earned
Sleep
Our
Legacy
Secure in
The love we
Have given and
Confirmed by the
Love we have received.