You weren’t meant to be looking
Out the corner of your eye, when it happened.
It took away your breath
And started tears rolling down your cheeks.
Because for the first time in seventy-odd years
You saw a little boy staring back at you.
Still in his usual chair, smart trousers.
With calloused hands and reading glasses.
But the years dropped away and instead of wrinkles and grey hair
There revealed a Little One returning. One you never knew.
He was only just saying, it was such a long time ago
But now he wants his mum and dad.
For it’s all gone far too fast
He doesn’t know what to do.
Got to be big and brave
But what comes next?
“You won’t leave me will you?”
And you’re not sure which of you asked it?
All those mighty men of ours, once blessed with biceps,
Wavy hair and white teeth.
Heroes who swung us up on their shoulders.
Now turn worried little faces upon our unwilling gaze.
Have you ever overheard them whisper
“ I’m afraid”?
It’s heart-breaking,
Watching their time run out.
© 2024 Juliette Proffitt ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
THE ABOVE POEM WAS WRITTEN BY AND REMAINS THE PROPERTY OF THE AUTHOR. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. THE AUTHOR GRANTS PERMISSION TO SHARE UNALTERED POSTS ONLY WHEN EXPLICITLY CREDITING THEM. NO OTHER REPRODUCTIONS ARE GRANTED WITHOUT PRIOR PERMISSION.
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Beautiful Messy Life 