Old Folks at Home

grandfather’s horse barn
     leaning against the wind

in his darkening garage
     pointless old tools linger
          like habits of mind

grandmother’s flower pot
     roots embracing roots
     weed-stalks embracing weed-stalks

in her closed cupboard
     wine glasses stick to the shelf
          she can’t reach them now

grandfather
     still planning to clear the brush
     still watching for snow clouds
     still listening for geese
          hearing nothing

grandmother
     still young in her own mind
     still young in the mind
          of her high school sweetheart
               what’s-his-name

wood stove and firewood
     sit together
          sit apart

Old Folks at Home was published by Metonym