I saw an old man standing in the sand,

With cane in hand, staring out at the horizon.

I asked of him what his thoughts were about,

He stared at me with a sigh and a smile.

I’m one hundred and three as I look to the sea,

I’ve outlived my wife and family.

I’ve had a life, seen many wonderful things,

Now an old man, old as the trees.

I say old man! what’s it like to be one hundred and three?

I don’t know, I only know what it’s like to be me.

I asked of him, would you wish to again be a child?

He replied, my only wish is to again see my wife’s smile.

i asked to him an old man, what’s the greatest thing you

Have done in such a lifetime,

His words to me were this, I married a beautiful wife,

I walked with her in the sand, I saw her smile, and

Now, here I stand.

Keith Garrett