The Old Man And The Dove

[lindylou]

:THE OLD MAN AND THE DOVE

The old man slowly rose from bed
To shake his sad and weary head
Last night he dreamed and tossed and cried....
His good wife walked close by his side....
She died a year ago today
In nearby churchyard does she lay
Each day, he bravely carries on
With chin set firm he greets the dawn....

He placed his cap atop his head
"I'm lookin' good", he smiled and said
And out the door, he then departs
To amble t'ward the nearby park.
His bones are aching days of late
Arthritis slows his creeking gait
He wanders to his favorite bench
And lowers slowly, inch by inch.


He's waits there quietly for his friends
There's Petey, Bob and Pet, the hen!
And they've been waiting for him, too
As loyal pigeons love to do!
So out of pocket comes their treat
He tosses forth -- they swoop to eat,
And in his heart, he feels a joy
For just a moment lives "the boy"
His heart is filled with inner peace
And from his sadness, sweet release
For he's connected to this flock
No need for useless, empty talk
That never heals a broken heart
When those we love must e're depart....

"They're only pigeons!", you might say
And really, that is quite okay
But just before you close the door
And think upon it never more
Recall this sad, old, lonely man
And wear his shoes, if you but can!
Then you will see these precious ones
Who have, since dawning of the sun,
Brought special joy and fill a need
By eager tossing of the seed!

So, as he rises now to leave
A white dove lands upon his sleeve
The tears come streaming down his cheek
It moves him so, he cannot speak
And as he looks her in the eye
Beneath is breath,
He says....."good-bye...."
He watches as she takes to flight
And knows that things will be alright....


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