he grapples with that memory
fighting to hold every detail, every shade
as the pain from his arthritic bones diverts his thoughts even more

oh...the curse of age
he took for granted every sweet morsel
every sweet moment of time given
and this is life's retribution

if given another chance
would he let her walk away
for he knows, looking back
that she was the one
that almost imperceptible,
yet obvious look when one's heart is broken
this he remembers clearly
her eyes as he turned away
relinquishing his chance at love
if he only knew then
that the excuses he trusted
were merely the voices of uncertainty

and now
in his room of fading memories
and fictional dreams
he begs for another chance
in another life