April 1983

Yesterday-Tomorrow

I remember what happened that day

Many years ago it is now

I was on the bus bound for school

He was in his sitting room refuge

Staring at the world through the glass

I glanced at him as the bus went past

Arthritic hands held clasped

One old man facing a day

That would be like so many before

Filled with yesterday’s dreams and deeds

I don’t think he saw the bus go by

Or me behind two glass sheets

I’ve never seen him again

And truthfully, I’ve never tried

Tomorrow was waiting to be plucked