Old Man

Christopher Elwell

The sad muffled figure coming towards me

Can barely put one foot in front of the other

As if he had lived a whole life

Without ever seeing a flight of steps.

What terrible sins had not been forgiven

That he should be affected so?

All I can do is stand and wait

Knowing he will need wings

If I am to avoid being late.

But he will never look up

Stares instead at every painful uncertain step

As if he has to count each one.

Then I see that what he has dropped

Is a gauntlet thrown down

And in his hand a walking stick

Turns into something more sinister.

On he comes, now with purpose, over the top

Past barbed wire, the earthworks

Into trenches where fiends lie

Like sacks on rubbish day.

And with a look I will always remember

He accepts my surrender.

 

  • Author: Christopher Elwell (Offline Offline)
  • Published: December 18th, 2017 13:27
  • Category: Unclassified
  • Views: 27
Get a free collection of Classic Poetry and subscribe to My Poetic Side ↓

Receive the ebook in seconds 50 poems from 50 different authors Weekly news

Comments1

  • Fay Slimm.

    You describe old age and its slow unsure steps with poetic phrasing and good flow of scenic change which becomes laden with fearful dreams in this tale with a twist in its finalé Chris. First class writing and look forward to reading more of your work.



To be able to comment and rate this poem, you must be registered. Register here or if you are already registered, login here.