Lewis Walddren

Old Man

Old man, old man
how did it get so bad
for you, for you
how did you get so blue?

So many days have past
since happier days.
What went wrong, old man
to bring you undone?

Old man, old man
I’ll give you a dollar –
for you, for you
I will give you two.

But what good will it do,
tomorrow I will see you
here again,
asking for another dollar or two.

Old man, old man
I wish there was more I could do,
but what use would it do
when hope hides from view.

No matter how bad things get
old man, I think of you
sitting out there, turning blue
asking for a dollar or two.

Another year
and we’re still here.
We had dreams
last year,
you and I –
we were miles away.

We were different people there,
living it up,
smiling – laughing – living,
yes, one of those
we envied,
disdained,
but ultimately admired.

We had a plan,
it was all drawn up,
signed off,
we shook on it,
looked into each others eyes,
it was full proof –
so what went wrong?

Another year
and we’re still here.
Living a dream,
we’d rather not live,
you and I –
we’re miles away.

He runs,
though I do not see him;
with each step he runs farther away,
closer to himself.

He has moved on,
though his mind rests;
thoughts clear like morning fog
as the sun rises,

His vision clears
to see the road ahead;
north, east,
south, west

It does not matter,
there are no intersections,
just a whim,
intuition,

The wind takes you there –
where else would you want to be?
He’s running,
from nothing,

But towards everything.
Time passes so fast,
why not catch up with it
and befriend it?

He runs,
but I do not see him;
he never stays long,
never dormant,

Never stale,
but always present if you are.
It’s not mind over matter,
or body over mind,

It’s balance –
equilibrium.
It’s not a race
for the finish line,

It’s back where he started,
and he will never go back.
He runs,
though I do not see him.