The Time Traveller
Time is a confusion to me these days
is it today or twenty years ago?
Old age has taken its toll with me.
My mind is now a time traveling machine
Where will I be when I wake?
A thrush warbles its tune
through the open bedroom window,
Summer fills the air with fragrances.
I turn to Mary and say
It’s going to be a wonderful day my love.
Then as I touch her hair
her undisturbed pillow
reaches my fingers.
Then it is now again
I know she is no longer here with me.
How strange the instant of our los
s never loses its sharp pain?

I read the notes
my daughter left for me.
The six cartons of milk in the refrigerator
A testament to my time travels.
As I eat a bowl of cereal
Mary joins me for a chat once more.
We talk of our retirement plans,
the travel, the exploring the joys.

Old age will be our time,
she smiles
I am as fascinated with her sparkling eyes
as I was the first time I saw her
so long ago so very long ago.

I have an overwhelming need
to tell her I love you, but she has gone
lost in the mystery of times ether.

My daughter arrives to fix my lunch.
dad why don't you sell up
And move into the retirement home.
she asks "don’t you get lonely here Dad?"
I answer quietly
and Mary smiles secretly
from across the room.
No kitten, not lonely.never lonely.