Expression Of Age

Grandmother sits on her porch
Under the wind chimes, in her blue cardigan,
Crochet needles clicking in her hands.
And she watches the sun set over the playground
Where the young children yell.
She watches Anna shake her head at Zabir,
Who threw the sand a little too high
She watches Mark crash his trucks again and again
And watches Maya wail when her doll snaps.
Grandmother smiles to herself softly.
That was her a while ago.

Grandmother sits on her porch
The wind chimes are still and her blue dress hangs,
Knitting needles dancing in her fingers.
She watches the sky darken over the playground
Where the children talk
She watches Anna complain of exams
While Zabir asks why she was sent to the principal’s,
She watches Mark nervously speak to Maya
Who blushes at his every word
Grandmother smiles softly to herself
That was her a while ago.

Grandmother sits on her porch
The wind chime rusted, in her blue puffed blouse,
A knitted scarf draped in her lap.
The stars shine brightly across the playground
Where the teenagers sit.
She watches Anna sway to the music in her head-phones
While Zabir assures he’ll stay out a little longer
She watches Maya lean against Mark’s shoulder
While cigarette ash drops from his lips
Grandmother smiles to herself softly
That was her a while ago.

Grandmother sits on her porch
The wind chime cracked, blue feather hat adorned,
The afternoon sun gleaming over the playground.
Unravelling her woollen shawl with needles
Watching the young adults mutter
Zabir yells on the phone, tears in eyes
Maya and Mark surrounding their newborn in the sand
Silver bands shining on each of their hands
Anna doesnt come here anymore
Grandmother smiles to herself softly
That was her a while ago.

Grandmother sits on her porch
The wind chime is broken, her blue cardigan faded,
Piles of knitted sweaters and scarves in her lap.
Waiting for the adults to come back
Zabir with his unshaven beard and untucked shirt
Anna who arrives with her laugh lines deep
Mark and Maya who stand so close together
Their child grasping onto them with small fingers
They smile at grandmother softly
As she closes her eyes.