Parting Thoughts

Parting Thoughts

The old man took off his thick-lense glasses
And he lightly set them on the night stand.
His brittle hands were becoming numb with cold,
Causing him to think about checking the furnace.
But at the thought of added comfort and luxury,
He realized such things were quite unneeded.
The frail man sat back and rubbed his bloodshot eyes,
Tired, but nothing a yawn and sleep could heal.
Thoughts flowed and emotions were expressed
Being the last of his generation, he realized
It was an arduous and strenuous position to hold.
Faces then flittered past in his dwindling thoughts,
Each smiling and offering their kind words.
He tried his hardest to smile back to those he loved,
But only managed tight-lipped tearful glances.
The last face paused and his eyes moistened more,
The breath from his lungs a visible white fog.
Pinching the bridge of his nose with two fingers,
He rocked back and forth in a fit of crying convulsions
Only to sit up straight, determined to brood no longer.
Turning around and dropping to his knees he prayed.
He asked God if He wouldn’t mind accepting one more.
Falteringly, he climbed into his bed, and laid on his back.
He tried to remain calm for what he knew would come.
His chest swelled and the thoughts of the last face emerged.
Long brown hair, a joyous laugh, and the love no other could match,
Eyes that sparkled, and a voice that could charm whomever desired
A delicate smile, one that betrayed (thought to be) well hidden intentions,
And a personality that provided the conditions for a euphoric love.

The old man smiled at the times they shared,
He grinned at the years they lived and spent,
He laughed at the times they pretended to be angry,
And finally, he nodded to her face, and said to her:
I love you, and I am coming for you now.

Closing his eyes and releasing his breath, his senses dimmed,
Body relaxed, mind at ease, the old man slipped away...