Unwanted Perseverence
The old man stretches deeply,
And winces at the pain.
It seems there's always more of it,
Around this time of year.
He gazes out the window,
At snow drifts on the pane,
And at her cold and empty seat,
And wishes she was here.
All his friends are gone now.
He wants for them in vain.
No children had his wife and he.
His eyes welled up with tears.
No festive smells came from his stove.
No wreaths or candy canes.
Only he and his empty home,
Nothing left for him is here.
If only he could be with her,
He'd open up a vein,
And let his life bleed out of him.
The dark could claim his fear.
But that he knows he cannot do.
She wouldn't want that way.
Someday he'll join her after life.
Till then, he'll persevere.