The Old man

Wrote this in class today.. I know, but you cant control these things.

I saw him the day before he died
With his cane and ragged jacket
In a trance of memories a soul hides
Moments he has yet to forget

Wrinkled hands shaking mine
Touched by years of work and strain
Made old by passing time
But his youth´s eyes still remain

Tales from time and places
I´ll always be too young to understand
Tales of known and long gone faces
Living on in the heart of an old man

I walk a stride behind him in his footprints
Even his steps so much greater than I
I answer his questions, revealing glimts
Of a world that has passed him by

He tells me of lost regret buried in the past
and love that left the earth and him behind
A love that lasted so long, but was gone so fast
Love he still sees and feels even now that he is blind

In his voice there is no sign of fear
Despite his weak body, his faith is ever strong
His smile is still real, his conscience clear
Despite believing he won't be missed for long

I saw him the day before he died
How death has undone so many
I stood alone on his lifelong street teary eyed
The loss of him took my words, so today I don't have any