Awaiting For The Sun To Rise

'Hey old man,
Would you like some assistance?'

And I would then look around.
Not knowing someone much younger,
Had been asking me that question.

I remember a time,
I laid in bed.
Awaiting for the Sun to rise.
Before the dawn arrived.
With eyes clear and opened wide.
Excited to start a day.
Listening to the sound of chirping birds.
Without a single thought,
Of my youthful days would fade away.

I use to hop out of bed.
Taking for granted,
My feet, legs, hips and head...
Were automatically together connected.
And all I had to do,
Was to let my mind do as I wanted.
Afterall,
No one young thinks of aging to come.
Not as it's done for everyone.

No one told me then,
A youth once to have it...
Would wither and fade with an aging to begin.
I thought then I had been an exception.
And God had blessed me,
With a youthfulness to glow forever and more.
Radiant.
No one then told me,
My clear eyes would dull.
My feet, legs, hips, shoulders and back,
Would begin to attack...
My mind with thoughts,
Of a youth gone to once have had.

And...
Overnight it seemed,
I began to feel aches and pains.
Disturbing my dreams.
Awakening me to a reality,
That an aging my body had begun to do.
Regardless what my mind could not accept.
Or undo to refuse.

Slowly and with delusion,
I began to adapt.
Praying to God,
If I must adjust to aging...
Why wasn't someone near,
Took no time to warn me of that!
And...
I continued to pray,
Everyday.
Through my 30's, 40's, 50's, 60's...
As well as my 70's.
With a hope as I approach my 80's.
Few will notice to remind of it.

Although, today, I will admit...
What appears on the outside of me,
Quicker than what's going on in my mind.
Does not exist.
Whoever it is observing to hear and witness,
My walking with a limp.
And losing balance to pretend.
That my aging done to do it,
I'm doing it as gracefully as I can.
Without a need of anyone's assistance.

'Hey old man?
Yes, you.
Walking slowly and losing your balance.
Are you okay?
Would you like some assistance?'

'Who me?
Uh...
Maybe just a little.
I have never before lived to be this age!'

'No one has.
But you O.G.
Is a blessing I hope in my youth,
To also achieve.'

'And if you don't mind me asking you.
Just how young are you?'

'I don't mind at all.
I feel much younger than my 65 years!'

'65?
How old do you think I am?'

'Well...
My grandfather appears on the outside,
To look not a day over 71.
But...
On the inside,
I know he feels much older.
And...
My guess would be you and he both,
Wish for days to be...
Younger than 80!'

'I am not 80...yet!'

'It's okay I understand.'

'Oh yeah.
And...
What is it you understand?'

'Blessings to get them,
Go misunderstood.
How God works in mysterious ways!'

'Young man?
Hold my cane.
I only use it as a prop.'

'My grandfather says the same thing.
But you know what?'

'What?'

'That cane has yet,
Stopped him from falling.
LOL...'

'Don't be disrespectful.
You 'kids' are always,
Attempting to get attention.
At the expense of others,
You perceive are old.
And in need of assistance.'

'I apologize.'

'No need and yes.
I accept your assistance.
But try your best,
Not to make a big deal out if it.
And stop calling me O.G. so loud.
As if you're doing something done,
To be noticed and proud of yourself!'

'LOL...
My grandfather would say the same thing.
You two are more alike than not!'

'Shut up.
Hold my cane.
And open the door to the store.
You young folks,
Yes you!
As I was saying...
You 'kids' are something else these days!
But...
You wait.
Just wait.
One day you will become older.
Full of yourself and living in denial.'

'Thank you for setting that example.'

'Hush up.
I'm not your grandfather.
And bt the way...
Where is he?'

'He told me to leave him alone.
Before he used my head as a baseball.
And taking his cane to use as a bat!'

'You may be right.'

'About what?'

'Your grandfather and me being alike!'