THE AGE OF SUCCESS

 The old man’s wrinkled skin resembles

The brittle tree bark of midwinter

The bulging veins of his aging hands

Is somewhat reminiscent of a torn road map

His body has shrunken since his

Earlier years and he has become as

Fragile as imported china and crystal ware

He is now as delicate as a dried

Leaf blowing in the fall wind and

He mumbles out stories of younger days

He can sit for hours

Alone

Staring dreamily at the summers stars

You can see visions in his glossy eyes

And read history in the lines of his face

You are there for company and support

Much like a human crutch

When he moves, his bones crack like

The forests sticks under your feed

He may feel much like a burden

But all his words bring wisdom

To spend time with an old man, you

Can only learn what you don’t yet know

Every single old person is knowledge

And knowledge lets you live until

You are the age of success

With the death of each elder dies

A part of their culture

He is neither a burden nor you a necessity

But with his experience and your ambition

Together, as a team, life becomes bearable

For Uncle Herman and Grandma Ruby