Porch Swing

Shoulder to shoulder...... Old men.
They sit, silently listening to their hearts beating,
Tired eyes, looking into a black sky.
Old heads resting together......Hand in hand.

The swing doesn't notice the caring,
The peace, the sharing.  It squeaks it's tune regardless,
But, too, goes unnoticed by the load it is bearing.

How foolish to me the two old men appear
As they swing back and forth as though without fear.
They swing back and forth, surely without care.
Back and forth, back and forth, to them, I'm not there.

The swing sings a rhythm in sync with their hearts
And sways to the melody to it they impart.
Lonely old men to we passers by,
But to them, peace, contentment, as a hushed lullaby.

Ah!  Now I see in their faces, beyond furrows and pain
The pleasure they're sharing, they're boys once again.
Subtle smiles, muffled laugh, careless gestures thereof
Makes it clear at this age, we can still fall in love.

God, that this wonderful sight brings tears to my eyes
Is the hope my life just ahead holds this prize.
Back and forth, back and forth.  Is that my heart that sings.
To the joy that abounds in an old oak porch swing.


                                                        
© 2000  Night.Owl

POEM INDEX