A Birthday Celebration: Age 70

                              Age 70

                             (Belated)

It is not the same at 85, for the motorists passing,

For the wheelchair and elfin hand, raised in greeting, are gone.

And the bouquets, wilted, have been taken away.

And there is no honking of horns.

It is not the same amidst the faery voices of women,

Thrilled with their innocent pastimes and social chit chat,

For they know that something, and someone, is missing:

That Charlotte, and her voice, are gone.

It is not the same for me, with my nose and forehead scarred,

And spirits low, thanks to the surgeon's knives.

But my resolve is to carry on, to the very best of me

And sing: - from the highest tree.

_______________

 © Cormac McCloskey