A DEBT TO PAY

I saw a man
He was frail
As frail as the web that the misty night had spun
He was bent
Bent as a sickle
He was deformed
Just as it should be

I looked at his hair
It was grey
As grey as the light of a soft moon
Soldering over the evening of life
His face was wrinkled
As wrinkled as an old parchment
The skin was thin
With no strength and elasticity

I saw the sadness in his eyes
He was unloved and uncherished
As he struggled with gnarled hands
Pressing hard on his walking stick
Wobbling with every step
An imminent fall threatening
Just to board the taxi
Years ago were
When fatigue he never knew
When he could walk miles yet never tire

"Hurry up", she screamed at him
Anger in her eyes and irritation in her soul
She was supposed to love and care for him
But he's left alone to struggle and do things
Things which the years have robbed him of the strength
But he never uttered a word at her
struggle and wobble he continued
Until luck got him into the taxi

Then I remembered my parents at home
What will they look like
With blotchy skin and wrinkles
And hair growing grey
Bone a brittle grate
I felt a sharp pain in my heart
Fear of the unknown
It makes me all think
How feeble life is
When it finally comes
I hope it doesn't come with their minds depleted

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