When lightening in its arrogance crashes
Does not know that what it destroys
Can rise again from the ashes.

He sits on the patio on his chair
like an ageing sentinel on duty
silver hair walnut cheeks, gnarled hands
like the roots of a tree
his dim eyes stare distantly
his mind free to roam into history.
he mutters he smiles
as his mind weaves through memories.
lost in his world he sits alone
as i watch him from a distance unknown.
in the lines of his figure i search in vain
for the man full of strength and vigour
but all i see is an ageing frame
staring into eternity.    [  continued.]

In the lines lines of his figure i search in vain
for the man full of strength and vigour
but all i see is an aging frame staring into eternity
sad and insecure with moistened eyes
i move towards him ,. he looks at me
and then i know this man shrivelled and old is he
in turn he sees a stranger with salt and pepper hair
is this the little girl i braught up with loving tender care
he rises and moves with a sudden spurt
arms open and i am engulfed
and then i know, these old bones still have
the power to comfort.

Early morning I rise
This moment is mine
No one's awake
This is my space in time

A cup of tea waves
the cobwebs of sleep slip away
I sit on my balcony
with my chin on my knee

Alone but not lonely
From all times I am free
I sip happiness with my tea
Happy just to be


The sun rises & levels with me
The house stirs awake
This space in time which was mine
slips away