Nails stained yellow from nicotine's hello
hair white and so thin, whatever stlli grows
skin wearing clothes suited for an old fellow
without a  friend  in the world nor a home

Arm flesh all cracking from medicine thinning
blood til that blood leaks from tiniest of cuts
Tethered to madness, heavy-hearted soldier
fighting a war that's already been lost

Age fallen  on him  like dog years times seven
no hope of rising from his wheeled seat
no pride left in him, weeps at all hours
and does not care either way now who sees

I come around now, each time embarrassed
at my own lack of concern for his needs
sadly however, he's mostly a stranger
whom I will visit when moved by pity

I wish to God things were different between us
that I could say  'I love you' earnestly
each time I tell him, it's only to spare him
the pain of his heart's  shattered billionth piece