Pictures Unframed 13. Becoming Old
Early morning the fog chokes
Traffic crawls across the bridge
Cables seem to vanish in the air
Leaving the bridge
Hanging there
Industry treats him to the poison
That left him coughing through the night
Spitting out the dust
Praying
Wishing for relief
He makes his way home from work
Sees her in the distance
Walking towards him
He would recognize that red hat
The coat she wore
The one he bought last Christmas
Or was it the Christmas before?
That walk
He would know that anywhere
After all these years
His step increases
Anxious to meet
Shielding his face with the mask
Then looking up again
Where is she?
Walking on he is confused
Until he reaches the short cut
Through woodland
Again
She is there
But now she is walking away
He calls out her name
Again
Louder this time
He tries to run
But his lungs have long gone
He stops to catch his breath
Wheezing for a while
Then continues on
Certain he will see her again
Reaching his street
He counts the houses
Fourth one on the left
That is their home
As he comes up the drive
The door opens
His daughter there to greet him
‘Where have you been Dad?’
He looks at her
‘Is your mum back. I saw her a few minutes ago
On my way home from work.’
There are tears in her eyes
‘Dad
You retired five years ago
And mum is at the care home
She’s been there for a year’
Then the tears flowed
How long could she keep going like this?
Copyright: David Hopcroft January 2022
(A poem that reflects reality for so many)
Park Bench Tales and other writings 
January 10, 2022 at 4:34 pm
A sad reality. I am reminded of the novel by Claire Fuller, Swimming Lessons.
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January 11, 2022 at 2:10 pm
My father retained clarity of mind until he passed away at 102. He was so fortunate and was always thankful. I had another relative who was not so fortunate and it was a very difficult time for her family.
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January 11, 2022 at 7:28 pm
It really is difficult, on so many levels.
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January 11, 2022 at 12:02 pm
Powerful read.
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January 11, 2022 at 2:08 pm
Thank you
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January 15, 2022 at 4:16 pm
So sad and frightening ,as you say, it is a reality for so many.To lose your mind, your reason is to lose “you” It is a walking death , an ambulatory termination of reality…So very hard, This was well-written and I had no idea where it would go…
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