MASKING'S REASON

I finally got the mower fixed
and with effort get off of the ground.
Those new knee's scars are still tender.
Too many years follow me around.

I straighten up, my shoulder hurts,
degenerating vertebrae you see,
which pinch on my spinal cord.
a broken old man, yep that's me.

With an old man's gait I leave the shop
up toward the house, it's near lunch time.
With head turned down I think of youth,
how I spent it like the merest dime.

I turn the corner. There she sits
Slowly rocking in the chair
eyes closed on the old front porch.
For a moment I just stand and stare.

My eyes see a sweet young woman
vibrant and untouched by age.
I stiffen back. undo my slump
and try to escape age's cage.

I can't let her see the real me
or at least I try not to.
Then I take a longer stride or two
and holler out "Hey! how are you?"

She stops mid rock ,opens green eyes
then gives me that loving smile.
With such a smile and that look
I might fool her yet, maybe a while.