My Twilight

                     For Mrs. J

Now is the twilight
of my life
the shadows
overshadow
me.
A few
stubborn
rays cling to the gray
hairs that adorn 
my crown.

Eighty-nine years.

I have travelled far,
seen many 
wonderous sights.
Felt
life pulsing
in, around, between
through me.

When I cannot see
you as you are
I see you
as you were.
What a sight!

When the light get's too bright
I sink in the shadows
and glow
with stories of old.
Now in my Twilight.

Black

My power comes from you
my strength is hewn
from your relentless authority
I see myself now
as priority.
I am important
I'm a big deal.
I know where I stand
on the pinnacle
of power
that I can command
the very devil
to disbanned
and flee
from me.
No need to chop
nor toe
the line
I find
my peace
I know I will not cease
in the beauty of your lines
and shadows.
I am Black.

A Series of Unfortunate Events?

Yes!
To freedom
I shimmy
I glide,
plier
etendre
releve
sauter
tourney
elancer
just watch me stride.
A puddle
in my way?
oh no,
nothing to stop my shine.
Too fast!
But the beat...
Too high!
But the breeze...
I squeal!
I reach!
Pure delight.

Midway
I freeze...
Oh no!
my steam!
That Je ne sais quoi...
Gone.
now,
how,
do I dance with me?

But for the Grace of God

There goes a young boy
with spring in his cheeks
and the glow of the Sun 
he sees an old soul
going slow
not vital enough
to make a show
sweeps him aside
"Old man you must go 
death awaits!"
The old man shakes his head
he understands
seeing brings the young dread - 
they too one day - if they survive -
will be like him.
There is too much pain today
and so
into the corner he is swept for days
on end.
Then he goes further 
up the road -
an accident.
Slowly he moves closer.
Ah it is the young man!
His glow now diminshed
winter haunts him now
He has been brought to an early
end:
"there but for the grace of God go I"