Where Old Men Sit

Did you see that youth who passed you by
even though his pace was true and fast,
Did you watch him from your ancient eye
knowing his speed would never last?

Did you as a teenager show the same grit
when you played a young man’s game,
Did his arrogance rile your aged spirit
though long ago you were the same?

Would you care to know what became of him
that young man who like a wisp of smoke,
With handsome features and muscles trim
passed you by daily yet never spoke?

He’s led a full life that impetuous boy
though sometimes he was mistaken,
When with the ladies he felt such joy
more often than not was forsaken!

Treasures galore have blessed his life
like quicksilver spent on luxuriance,
When all had gone he felt no strife
for he wasted it with exuberance!

If you ask him of his greatest prize
he would answer with little hesitation,
Though not as simple as you might surmise
his reply would be, his many children!

Now in later years he will always compete
to be among the first on a daily visit,
To the rustic place where his cronies meet
that favoured bench, where old men sit!

sonofadam