Grandfather

Let me help you,
the young man says
taking the older man's arm
as they climb the steep steps
to a neighbour's house.

You are my grandfather,
he jokes - but there's
a serious edge to his words.
To us, we're 'getting on' -
old age is for others.

We know we're not as spry
as we once were, but
we're not really old, not us.
Youngsters view us differently -
to them, we're positively doddery.

So maybe we should sit back
let them help, take over.
One day, in a future they
can't imagine, they too will
use sticks, need spectables,

become
Grandfather and Grandmama.

GRANDFATHER