Before You Were Born

Look at these hands,

They’re old and frail

They hold

Many stories,

Many wise old tales.

The creases on rough knuckles,

The veins that pump old blood.

The dirt under my fingernails

That have seen ancient mud.

 

They have kept a family warm,

Put food on the table.

They have worked tirelessly

As often as they were able.

They have touched the soft cheek

Of my sweet dear wife,

They were there to hold her hand

As she lost her life.

 

I’m an old man,

I’ve seen many things,

I’ve touched many souls

And seen them extinguish.

I laughed before the Great War,

Before man first stood on the moon.

I cried before you were born

Years and years before you.

 

Look at my face,

It’s old and frail.

It holds

Many stories,

Many wise old tales.

The creases on my forehead,

The lines at my eyes.

The freckles and the liver spots

It’s the epitome of my life.

 

It’s braced against harsh winds;

Snow and the sun.

It’s laughed a thousand laughs

And smiled at the birth of my son.

It's felt rough knuckles

Slap against its cheek,

Yet it keeps on smiling

Week after week.

 

I’m an old man,

I’ve seen many things,

I’ve touched many souls

And seen them extinguish.

I laughed before the Great War,

Before man first stood on the moon.

I cried before you were born

Years and years before you.

 

 

Look into my eyes

They’re old and strained.

They’ve seen many things,

Not all have been great.

They’ve cried a thousand tears,

They’ve smiled a thousand smiles.

They’ve seen all my years

They’ve never failed me

Even through the fears.

 

I’m an old man,

I’ve seen many things,

I’ve touched many souls

And seen them extinguish.

Reviews

[Morrigan Nicole]

Very good! I enjoyed reading this... It is very realistic... makes me wonder how I will be when I grow old....