Age Spectrum
By Daniel W., Harrisville, RI
Hands, plump and pink
Fumbling with popsicle sticks
Fingers, sticky with school glue
Let me help you with those scissors
Faces, satin skin and rosy cheeks
Milk moustaches and
Tooth-fairy smiles
No, don‘t pour the apple juice yourself
Eyes, wide with wonder
Seeing everything for the first time
Letters and words still a mysterious jumble
Make a circle - let‘s start that story I promised
“The wheels on the bus go ‘round and ‘round
All around the town”
Hands, arthritic and wrinkled
Crisscrossed with road-map veins
Tremors, weakness
Would you like some banana bread and coffee?
Faces, creased with years, sallow
But instantly aglow at the sight of a visitor
So grateful for the company and the kindness
Yes, I can sit with you a moment longer
Eyes, tired and straining
But wise from having seen it all
Bingo cards a blur
Spread out your cards - I can help you find the numbers
“You are my sunshine, my only sunshine
You make me happy when skies are gray”
The simple kindnesses,
I never knew they would mean so much
Not just to them, but to me
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