Longwang and Damrey
Rita and Wilma

Who has not had something dear swept away?
Time our gnarly invention a constant partner Enters the ballroom without our notice
Or invitation

It slides quiet as a moth’s wing
Over our faces through and down our spines
Sweeps us up for the long dance
Will not let us go or sit down
Whistles in our ears

Time and his cohorts take
What we cannot hoard in the safe
Homeland Security cannot put up walls
To keep this beast persistent as planets in retro
Detained on the steps

Time steals our mother and father
Our favorite grandma or uncle
Sometimes our children our talents
Our youthful looks strength agility
Mental acuity

As we dance we begin to note
A limp an odd pain in the hip
Slow down! We cry as we stumble along
Our human partner is tired
Pleased to break the pace

How lovely for us just to let go!
Sex is better now than before
You know

Where I want you to touch me
Where I want you not to touch me
I can say it now!

We know now why the Elder
Is thrilled when a rare bird flies by
Even if someone has to tell him so
How grateful we are not to fly out the door
For job interviews

Time cannot steal the spirit
Which abides through our last breath on earth
If the eyes cannot see the ears cannot hear
We can indeed sense the best of all that there is
Enfolding us LOVE!