encounters 6

His clothes had seen
better days, as they say -

Grimy green jacket,
frayed at the cuff and
 hole cobble-mended,

suspicious shirt-collar
around his turkey-neck and

 tired, spattered
pin-striped trousers

and slippers.

His body had failed
him too, you might say -

Hearing aids whistled
 tunelessly, canaries longing to fly free,

Tufts sprouted from
strange places and there was
something in his hair,

mottled hands palsied
as he searched the old book
for the words he wanted.

But ah his voice was rich and beautiful,
clear and strong,
his smile wise and warm,  and his mind
as an eagle soared