THE OLD MAN

A cool breeze has come a' blowin' from the north.

I don't think it's headin' down t'ward the south.

Seems to have found its way into my ears and

I feel a small shiverin' begin as it exits my mouth.

Gotta wonder where its goin' all dressed up,

Dancin' in circles, shakin' leaves to the ground.

Crawlin' cross the fields lookin' for sumpthin'

Yep, sumpthin' that will never be found.

The sound of them shutter's bangin', pitchin' a fit,

It's simply confusin' to the sane man's mind –

Considerin' the breeze doesn't seem to know

Where its headed or what its a hopin' ta find...

...A place to settle down and play with candy 

Wrappers, skimmin' 'cross the ocean wave,

Yep, upon the waves, carried out to sea

Where little breezes learn how to behave.

Sittin' on the front porch rockin' in my rocker,

I felt a wind come a stirrin' out yon, from the east.

Seems the winds came a blowin' without intent,

Took no notice of me a rockin', no notice in the least...

Unawares, slappin' shudders 'gainst the house,

'Twas too busy blowing through, headed out west.

These winds have no respect, leaving bones cold,

Puttin' this ol' man's constitution to the test.

There came a storm outa nowhere special,

Just seemed to show up unexpected, unforeseen.

I had to git my heavy jacket and put it on –

The sky looked a bit put off, feeling mean.

My teeth chatterin', body shakin' fer warmth.

Don't know why I didn't go in and light the stove,

Woulda made more sense than goin' back in

Searchin' for that old blanket ma's hands had wove.

The chill was near unbearable out here on the porch;

Snow began to fall like feathers from angel's wings.

I rocked a little faster tryin' to keep the blood a flowin',

Bracing this old body for whatever the evenin' brings.

Couldn't tell the snowflakes from the white of my beard,

Nor the ice formin' along the strands of thinnin' hair.

My fingers blue and numb, ears had lost their feelin',

Along with my nose and toes, in this frigid night air.

Ma came to take a look outside the door to check

On the conditions - another log in the stove b'fore bed.

Me? Well, I sit here on the porch arockin' in my chair

Keepin' company with the dyin' and the dead.

I wonder if she knows I sit a watchin' t' keep her safe.

I keep a look out for what dangers lurk at night, as she says

Prayers for all, includin' this here old man that I once was –

It warms me, heart and soul,... then she finally puts out the light.

This poem actually came from an old man who spoke to me several nights ago. This is his way of speaking and pretty much what he told me. If anyone recognizes him or this entire picture - please let me know. 

 M TERESA CLAYTON.