Poem: I'm Just An Old Man Asking

I'm Just an Old Man Asking

The old man shuffled

Across the parking lot,

Sloshing through the snow,

Head down against the wind,

Shielding himself from the sting

Of yet another winter

In his life,

But this year was different,

This year he was alone;

Alone for the first time in sixty years,

He never imagined

Being married for sixty years;

Who could imagine such a thing?

Helen died in December

At Christmastime,

The worst time for death,

All tangled up with holiday lights

And joyful Noels,

People smiling, sharing cookies,

Hugging strangers,

Too busy for death,

Not right now

They thought,

Save it for another time,

A time without cheer,

But death could not wait,

Now George was alone,

To buy his groceries, go to church,

Dust the house, do the dishes

Sort his laundry,

Make the bed,

Live his life,

And so he did,

He shuffled toward the door,

Entered the recreation center,

Headed to the children’s reading corner,

Found his favorite chair

And settled in,

Within minutes he was surrounded,

Children clamoring 

For a story,

Clamoring for a spot 

On his lap,

Holding books in their hands,

Holding hope in their smiles,

George smiled back

And began to read,

Thinking, Lord, please give

These children long lives and love,

Give them futures

That sparkle like holiday lights

And burst with joyful Noels,

May their nights be free from fear,

May they have someone

Who loves them near,

  

I'm just an old man asking,

I pray with all my heart, 
Please grant this wish for all these kids,

And I will do my part.

P.S.  Tell Helen I'm doing okay.  I'll be along in a few years,

but I still have some important little people to look after here on earth.