24.  Waiting

Old man sitting in his favourite armchair
Seldom blinks just sits and stares
Gaze fixed on ticking clock
Listening for the tick that follows tock
Wishing his autumn days away
No point now she’s gone away
Second hand sweeps round the face
He feels so alone in this place
Counting the seconds, counting the days
Memories of her through misty haze
Only wants to be with her
Her voice is an echo, her face is a blur
Clock sounds the hour with no mistaking
He’s wanting death
But still left waiting

Old man tends to lonely grave
Bows his head and softly prays
Wonders why they took her
Left him here, seems so unfair
Wipes headstone with dampened cloth
Short of breath he starts to cough
Rearranges the fresh new flowers
Talks to her for a few hours
Rises to his feet painfully
Brushes moist grass from his knees
Pats her stone but does not dwell
Gives it a kiss, bids fond farewell
Homeward bound cold and shaking
He wants an end
But still he’s waiting

Old man growing tired lying in his bed
Thoughts only of her racing through his head
Turns off his bedside lamp as if for some release
Only wants to hold her hand, oh to be in peace
Cries in the night with sad and broken heart
Tear soaked pillowcase so cold in the dark
Scared and lonely he no longer wants to fight
Hoping and praying that this will be the night
His eyes growing heavy as they often do
Finally tonight his wishes will come true
Golden glow fills up his room, for morning has arrived
Yet his shell just lies still, last night his body died
Soul is no longer here contemplating
It’s on a journey spirit bound
To see what lies waiting   

Continued:                                            

Old man stepping into spirit light
No longer tired but smiling bright
Sees her face coming closer to him
Tears flow down his cheeks his mouth is a grin
They stand and hold each other, faces all a glow
Standing in celestial light, a lovers rainbow
She beckons him to join her in a world so bright
Though he’s frightened at first he steps into the light
No longer is he scared, he feels the love around
Two silhouettes in the mist of a heaven they have found
He kisses her softly on the lips and says he has one thing to ask
She tells him to proceed knowing happiness will last
“What have you been doing here whilst my heart was aching?”
She replies, “ Oh my dearest sweetest love
Don’t you know I’ve just been waiting?”

Waiting Copyright ©2004 Peter Hardcastle.
All Rights Reserved.