never too old by Cara Brewer

there was a time

when children played

they slid on slides

on swings they swayed

then one day

their laughter ceased

the wood splintered

the weeds increased

but so distraught

was lady’s heart

she could not sell it

nor tear it apart

for many a memory

lingered there

and at that rock climb

she’d sit and stare

hoping one day

they would just reappear

the playful children

she held so dear

but as the wall aged

so too did that lady

next thing she knew

she was five years past eighty

still sitting there

with a view to the past

spinning faith’s wheel

getting nowhere fast

but then a sound

so joyful and bright

brought to her face

a smile of delight

beautiful birdsongs

filled the air

coming from nests

behind the wall on the stairs

turns out they’d been there

for many a year

but her mind was closed

so too were her ears

she missed nature’s story

unfolding before her

while god knocked on her door

over and over

so much time

wasted on wishes

that could have been spent

on soul foods delicious

prepared by god

to mend broken hearts

through colors and scents

and soft landscape arts

but now the lady

knows what she knows

she never looks back now

and forward she goes

like an old dog

too wise to chase sticks

never too old

to let her mind play its tricks