The cat brought in a songbird today.
Unharmed, the tiny brown thing darted
Up to perch beside the cactus on the top shelf.
Silence. But for the dreary hum of the
Television and the tumble dryer. How dull
To him our world must seem, I thought,
How full of corners and clutter and dust.
I opened the front door and out he flashed,
Leaving strangeness for the wild autumn sky.

I want to grow old with you
To see your eyes shine
Though your skin grows thin
And wrinkles like paper
And your eyebrows get bushy
And your ears grow bigger

I want to grow old with you
To sit hand in hand on the verandah
Drinking cold beers in the evening sun
Looking out over the golden fields
Picking off rabbits with a rusty old gun

Perhaps we'll live by a vineyard
Or in a house beside the sea
When the world has done with us
Let's travel about in a creaky old bus -
Doesn't much matter if it's you and me

I want to grow old with you
Let's get over the hill and enjoy the view
And when the chill winds blow in
We'll always have stars
And fires in our hearts
And all the riches money can't buy will be ours
And life was a dream
Spent wisely and well
For wanting to grow old with you.

I could not write so I walked
Through fields of diamonds where
Luminous poppies danced for me
But I did not stop
Only when I reached the woods
Did I hear the rain cast down
Over each leaf, each branch, singing
It is enough to be;
Only then did I look up
And see the stars -
Each one bound to me
By a single, tight thread of light
Each one humming
It is enough to be
Were only the skies to clear,
Were only the clouds to pass.