Grey plumes

Old man wakes
to an empty house
in his mind—
he screams,
silence!
I am trying to sleep
once—
old man sips tepid coffee
in an old enamel cup
on its side; MM
how is she?
auburn locks flowing in the breeze
little M—
old man dresses
stained
threadbare shirt
tattered pleated pants; creased
long ago—
she took care with his clothes
darling love—
how long has it been?
old man walks