@lines  MARY ANN GAMBLE

Without complaint … facing past bitter times
feeling he has the right
traipsing from one crowded ward to another,
half-seeing, not knowing and not caring why.

Swallowing a dose of something,
pretending it’s vintage wine
a much needed prescribed mixture
for old war-time injuries, aches and pain.

With wobbling cane held tightly
a tap, tap, tap can be heard.
He can still beat time to a old refrain
to music drifting from the hallway.

His heart beats with old desires
Pulse … burning like a cherry fire.
He refuses to fail in a time of joy
and today is joyful over wine!

Now his dreams give him power
to lift his whitened head just high enough
for his spirit to follow bits and pieces
of unforgotten memories.