I look in the mirror,
It does not look right,
Is it a trick of the light?

I can still see clearly
My eyes are still bright.
But when I am reading,
I need more light.

My crooked teeth,
I used to hide.
Replaced by dentures,
And a smile that's wide.

Grey hair once was gold,
I am thinning now,
Where waves once rolled.

My hearing maybe dulled,
But that’s no surprise.
My ears are sprouting hair,
Like a funny disguise.

My face shows no stress,
Wrinkle free I’ve been blessed.
Just a little double chin,
Cheese and wine my only sins.

In my mind I’m still young,
But the reflection is right.
It's my face in the mirror,
No trick of the light.

When first you feel passion,
It is part of love in a fashion.
Real love that is based on trust,
From both sides that’s a must.
Forgiveness when either falters,
Faithfulness that never alters.
Sharing not just wealth but pain,
All worldly things are loves gain.
Keeping mutual awareness alive,
Listen with interest to survive.
Pick up signals on quiet days,
Missing these can lead to a maze.
Discus problems so secret and deep,
Confessions shared can help us sleep.
Thinking your knowledge is complete,
There will forever be more to greet.
For I have loved in happiness and tears,
Understanding more over all these years.
Show attention to detail and explore,
Then every day you may love more.

Trapped in my world,    
But I am totally free.
A fence all around,
Not one you can see.
I am not gagged,
But cannot speak.
My voice is clear,
I want no one to hear.
In my insecure way I see,
A daunting world looks at me.
Shy timid they would say,
Looking at me I looked away.
As a child I was accepted,
In adulthood it is not expected.
Now managing some control,
But still I hide my console.
This is how I live my life,
I have a family and a wife.
Love they show in every way,
Still I feel diffidence every day.

In our back yard stood a brick Netty.
Paper on a nail and it is not confetti.
With a concrete roof and concrete floor,
To keep it private a big wooden door.
Cold and damp the outside loo,
Shared by the flat upstairs to.
This was our toilet on a cold winter day,
A paraffin lamp to light our way.
Cast iron cistern placed up high,
Iron chain you pulled with a sigh.  
Pipes lagged with old carpet or sack,
In severe winters they freeze and crack.
Sometimes while sitting in the dim light,
A silver trail would catch you eye,
It was the sign of a snail passing bye.
Follow this line along the wall,
There you find one not always small.
Pick it up from where it lay,
Drop in to the *** and flush away.
Winter fades into spring,
Warmer day’s new problems bring.
Dad.
He would sit reading the paper,
While having a smoke.
We waited outside it was no joke.
Then out he came smiling,
As he passed our way.
Leaving his paper on the floor,
We go in and close the door.
The smell of smoke made us wail,
While tearing up the paper,
To put on the nail.

Things that make us different, are not all to do with genes?
There is more to life than history, how we speak or look.
Environment, upbringing is maybe where it starts,
But life’s experience brings closeness that’s difficult to part.
Friends we grew up with, shared secrets of our youth,
Good things and bad only they would know the truth.
Through working years, problem times and strife,
Bringing comradeship that could last all our life.
As we grow older friends sometimes slip apart,
Leaving only those who are closest to our heart.
Now memories that we share really deep inside,
Of tears, pain, happiness and occasionally of pride.
Something brought us closer than simple little genes,
Maybe its life itself, things behind the scenes.
If I had to choose who was really foremost in my life,
Standing next to me my companion and friend,
Not simply but most of all, my wife.

I-Spy

A ladybird, busy,  
On a sunny September day.
A  farmer,
Just finished cutting the hay.
A wasp on a dried out flower,
Autumn is here,
He is losing his power.
A penny nailed to a tree,
I-spy is fun lots to see.
All left at peace for others to spy,
From our feet up to the sky.
Leaving the penny hanging there,
Maybe there is  no change to spare.

Realization of sanity
Standing on the edge looking at the ground,
Shall I jump without making any sound?
A beautiful peace never experienced before,
Drifting to a new world through an open door.
Would life pass me by as quickly as they say?
Or maybe more painful day by painful day.
Stepping back quickly, I suddenly realize,
Love all around keeps us from demise.
I could not be so selfish to all that love and care,
Then I think again,
What if they were not there?