When You Look At Me by Mark Spencer

When you look at me, what is it that you see?
An old man who’s numbered days are almost due?

Maybe it is so, but one day you will know,
When you find those final days belong to you.

I was once a boy, who had many a toy,
Playing stickball with my friends out at the park.

We had so much fun, for hours in the sun,
Then Mom called us for dinner when it got dark.

Along came High School, where I tried to look cool,
And in this pursuit, I blacked many an eye.

Then I went to war, and I learned how to soar,
Over the Pacific Ocean I did fly.

When we bombed Japan, I was still a young man,
Though my growing up had already begun.

Then I met my wife, the best years of my life,
Together we raised two daughters and a son.

They grew up so fast, how quickly the years passed,
And soon our children had children of their own.

And they grew up too, as children always do,
It was amazing how quickly they had grown.

Then one tragic day, my darling passed away,
It was the saddest moment I can recall.

And now here I wait, to meet my final fate,
In this nursing home bed, starring at the wall.

My body is frail, but ‘neath this withered veil,
I’m still that boy playing stickball in the park.

I’m still twenty three, flying over the sea,
Though the light of my life is now growing dark.

But here in my heart, you will find every part,
Of the carefree young man that I used to be.

So hear what I say, when you next look my way,
Gaze past this frail body and see the real me.

Megan (67.124.151.115) -- Tuesday, November 18 2003, 07:34 am

This isn't true is it?
You're not really in a nursing home are you? Wow! I never thought about it this way before! To be really old with the mind I have now. That would so suck! I hope you're not going through that. Great poem.

Tricia (198.248.198.23) -- Thursday, November 20 2003, 04:13 pm

awesome
Mark,
What an excellent poem. Thank you for sharing it with us. I wish you wellness and may god bless you. One question were you military at one time? This poem is really touching.

Leah (199.126.238.142) -- Friday, January 30 2004, 03:55 am

...
lol meagan thinks your in an old folks home playing stick ball in spirit! Great poem but it made me laugh!

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