Gathering

11-5-23
Got here early, sun was waking up, yet still hidden
Quiet, I suppose, warm enough, to see the forbidden 
I find the first open chair, a kind of view to sit in
Looking around, noticing everything moves slow

The trees hold their leaves like I’m holding my glass
So tight, so fragile, I think this will help the time pass
Or at least to clutch all these thoughts that suddenly flash
What happened, probably something I’ll never know

Friends are all around, they too refuse to say a word
But no sound evades, not a whisper, nothing heard
Acknowledging the people, so many, to observe 
Yet I can hear a voice calling, this one in my mind

This group of people, it’s all starting to come back 
Taking a deep breath, so many here, my brain I rack
‘Cause they came here at different times, bags unpacked
Suddenly something touches me, startled, no peace I find

You meet many souls here, seeing a husband and wife
At this point, how they toiled, with trouble with strife 
Together they are, together to be, together through life
Maybe I’m just wishing they could remain and I’ll go away

We came together, I remember plainly, getting lost at first
How bad could it be, this thing called for better or for worse
Agreement is fragile, broken, and wished for like a curse
Hold on to the many that still come, collapsed, do pray

The residents are getting younger, more frail I’m afraid
Can’t stand the heat nor the bed that they made
I glance at the ground twice, shaking my head in dismay
Stumbling back to my chair, wearily, in front of it all

Someone starts talking, that voice is familiar and strained
I guess the cause, I guess it’s the sleet, cold, and the rain 
Why is the someone or something so taken by pain
Looking for relief, I muttered in a voice, one so small

It’s like everything is staying in place, the people for sure
I tuck my thoughts away, saying goodbye to him and to her
As I look back again at the people so quiet, trying to endure 
I’m leaving something behind, something others will have

Which is to say, I have for them nothing, just words from a fool
Thinking so fast, my mind pivots, and my body from this stool
I ask for the bill, nobody to take payment, this place so cruel 
Knowing what I know, those people, to wear like a badge

Stumbling to the door, I look back and see what I'll miss
I can find this place again, wondering how to fill up the abyss 
One thing for certain, something to remember, to reminisce 
To tell it and think it, and moment that changed everything 

Its not him, these others will wait, not wanting us to leave
But my body for now, no cure, for I will gasp and I will heave
That quietness, calmness, and truthfully I gratefully believe 
That what I saw will carry me somewhere, the angles will sing