by LJ Frank
The old man read every day since childhood
his appetite voracious for knowledge
the hunger never left him after years of voyages and treks
studies and experiences around the Earth
verses in the geography of the soul
knowledge was core to his existence
nothing else was equal to it,
yet all was temporal including what he had known
and what he thought he knew.
The mirror didn’t reflect the vitality within
though the noise of culture affects hearing
while the quality of vision alters bearing,
strands of hair turn gray
regardless
affecting another’s smile
words spoken sideways to his face
ageism, no disrespect intended
some call it “Elderspeak”
with a potion to de-accentuate the wrinkles
a spirit pleading it was not there yet.
Another day passes by
and the mindful teacher within asks,
can you hear me now?