As I walked in the morning On the still dewy grass A child sprang up and said Let’s play with toys and Sticks and string and things I’ve nothing to do And you’ve nowhere to go Before I could decline Or issue my warning He ran Away At around midday a Preoccupied person Came bustling by Where are you going? To find love Or a career Or something in Between He sang over his shoulder With a smile that grew colder Night fell with Its crushing weight And as I considered Its solemnity I found myself Sitting beside an old man On a worn Wooden Bench He was gazing at the sky What do you see sir? Without turning Or blinking his Softened lids He formed one word From a voice that Laughed hated and loved: “Stars” And in his granite tears I saw eternity shimmer Photo by Eberhard Grossgasteiger (Pexels)