Wrinkles betray his young interior
Never considered himself inferior
Born on bomb site sought to achieve
His parents taught him to believe
Youngster fed on wartime rations
Dad fighting for political passions
Mom at home trying her best
To keep her nerve and babe at breast
In time met a girl to share his life
Fifty years and forever his wife
Children born grandkids followed
Watched her body in earth swallowed
Stood firm as his whole world changed
Suffered silently life rearranged
Aches and pains the body suffered
Brain changes the worst; thoughts buffered
Suburban house sold and care provided
Life in the present and past divided
Memories only of earlier days
In his head a stick sword he sways
Building a fortress fighting a war
Walking the plank with pirates galore
Playing with mates in makeshift dens
Mental games
through a cerebral lens
Fiona Keogh ©