i spied an old man sip his beer
his eyes were glazed full cloudy day
oblivious to all around
he didn’t hear the raucous sound
of other drinkers loud at play
i watched him as he raised his glass
i didn’t miss a tear that fell
that trickled down his weathered skin
i felt another’s suffering
his sadness wrapped me in its spell
where was he in his troubled mind
for sure he wasn’t here with us
his shirt was stained his hair unkempt
i pondered where his thinking went
he drank his pain with little fuss
my thoughts returned to you and i
the reaper is a friend to none
for when you’ve lost your trusted mate
you lose your compass and your fate
lies in the stars your present gone