I saw him Alone over there Ugly and full of wrinkles, I stared
I saw him Alone over there His coffee cold, I stared
I saw him Alone many times over there Contemplating the emptiness in front of him
I saw him Sipping his coffee With such focus and contemplation
I saw him Alone over there I asked the old man "Mind if I sit here?"
I heard him Full of life and memories With such energy and glee
I heard him As I learned of life and history We became friends, his gift to me
I heard him As he proffered advice, laughter and wise words I listened to the deeper beauty behind that wrinkled facade
I saw…………………………….I saw A hidden tear did fall
We often took walks and whiskey shots He filled my soul with a history I never had His kindness was gentle his words comedic I soon learned he was never alone For he lived in a happiness I could never acquire I now had to ponder a delicate question
That first day, in the coffee shop Who was truly alone?
Now I have the answer filled As I shed tears at this old mans tomb