The Old Lady Downstairs

To the lady downstairs. You are my f*****g idol.

There's an old lady that lives downstairs

Clost to ninety or so 

I see her every other day

Always with supermarket bags

Sometimes plain bags

Carrying bread, cheese, salt

Her weight in years

She's shrinked

Time sits on her shoulders

Like a f*****g King

No coronation for this b*****d

Just sat there one day

Turned the lady small and grey

The supermarket closed down

She doesn't seem to be shaken by this 

She walks to the one that's further down the street

It takes her quite some time to get there

Her steps are small and brisk yet slow

I can almost hear

the way her slippers scratch the pavement

I hold the door for her everytime I see her

She always smiles and extends her arm to push as well 

I hold the elevator door for her

But she is faster than me somehow

She only asks me to press the button to her floor

She always smiles 

Doesn't need teeth to smile

Her wrinkles spread even more to her face 

They move aside the weight of her lifetime

Just so this smile can replace it

She never sighs

Only says "oh what to do"

And then she just keeps walking

To that supermarket 

To the bakery 

To the shoemaker's

To Time itself

To remind that fat well-fed b*****d

That she still owns her

Reviews

[Coyote Poetry]

Dear Marina, I loved the poem. You led the reader to the amazing ending. The perfect movement of words made the reader feel and understand the words. Thank you for sharing the outstanding poetry.
Coyote

[Paul Bell]

Okay, update. Is she still alive?
Glad I read this again. It's so bloody raw, actual life in front of you.
This is every country in the world, can't get any more human than that.

[Marina]

Yup, very much so. She actually came knocking on my door the other day, at 11 pm, asking for sugar. Crazy gal lol

[Paul Bell]

See, all these doctors who say sugar is bad for you are all wrong. Putting this old woman down as my weekend hero now.

[Marina]

They are hiding the truth from us.

[Paul Bell]

Mind you, do you not drink that nice wine that keeps you healthy.

[Suhd]

So much lying there between the lines. Bravo

[ROXANE DORSEY]

I have no grandparents. I tend to take to more older seniors. thanks for this very nice poetry. they makes me smile.

[Marina]

Thank you Roxanne. I only have a grandmother left; trying to spend as much time with her as I can

[Carol Cashes]

God, I want to be her! I'm closer than I like to admit (61), but I doubt I'd be smiling - I'm an angry and contrary woman so probably more like little kids throwing rocks at me...and me throwin' 'em back cussin' for all they're worth! This was an excellent write!

[Marina]

hahaha I'm sure I fit more into what you describe myself! That's why I'm taking lessons from this lady :D

[The Eggman]

I really like this piece; the visuals are great, and you depicted her well, old fat b*****d time too. It brought to mind a piece by Donne, "Oh Death, Be Not Proud." Lovely

[Marina]

Thanks eggman! I will make sure to look up this poem, hadn't heard of it before :)

[Paul Bell]

I suppose time is the ultimate b***h.
In saying that, time must be precious when you're old.
Yet in a way, she frightens you.
The wrinkles of time are present for all to see.

[Marina]

Yup, you summed it up perfectly! I feel like this piece can become even better though, I'll probably work on it more.

[Paul Bell]

Homework on the weekend.
You ill. lol