While sitting in my car, I noticed two elderly women chatting across the parking lot. They inspired this poem, which I wrote as they talked and eventually walked away. The poem is unedited and contains errors, which will be corrected at a later date. The poem was written in late 2023 or early 2024. It was one of my first attempts at writing poetry.
Her gait shifts, revealing,
a brace on the knee.
She talks on, in pain,
Revealed through her heavy eyes
And narrowing smile slow to tighten
As the conversation lingered.
Eyes straight ahead, Mind over matter
She won’t let age’s agony steal
This moment with an old friend.
She swings the leg, an attempt to ease
The sharp ache that happens each
Time it’s not elevated.
Her friend’s stance shifts,
Revealing a lightened load to the hip,
And rubs her back
With a polite smile and laugh.
Two old friends, their bodies limit
the enjoyment of each other’s company
But hold on to the time that’s left.
Perfectly Human 