old man that I'll be

old man who drools at schoolgirls

sneers at kissing couples

wanders neighborhood in pajamas

talks of prostate and hemorrhoids

smells of hair oil and lanolin

disappearance announced on PA system

or one who naps under ficus religiosa

dispenses wisdom to those who ask

tells stories that make men cry

walks on beach waving to fishermen

who put down their nets and stare

says he's come back to stay ... and does

© 2004 Joseph Dias