no different

no different 

'those were the good ole days'

i would hear the old timers say

while they gathered for 

coffee each morn

always a newspaper or two

circulating round the table meant for 4

but most times having 5, 6 or more

chairs pulled close in 

odd mishappened circle

'did ya see oswald got shot dead? served him right!

'they should let ruby go! he's a hero in my book!'

'serves him right!'

'who?'

years later it was the same gang of old men

minus 1 or 2 still gathering each morn

for remembrance, gripes, local gossip 

stories of yesteryear 

'when is this war gonna end?'

'my grandson just got sent over. he's a good boy.'

'i don't wish it on anyone'

'where's the crossword goddamnit, who's got it?'

'keep your britches on ... here do your damn puzzle

and pipe down!'

seemed to always ending the same

'see ya tomorrow fellows'

for some

tomorrow never came

we are no different than before

just younger