You're so old
with your silk scarf and photos of the grand-kids
your comments about everything before we've even begun.
You snicker as he swears
go silent at "cunt"
and I'm here feeling myself expanding with each mouthful.

You're so old
with your chin on the steering wheel
your hair fresh from curlers or buried beneath a beaten old hat
any indication of direction given far too late to matter
and I'm being told to treat you with respect.

You're so old
so demanding of things you claim you can no longer do
that you never did
that we take for granted
as you take us for granted at times.

You're so old
with your repeated phrases
your washing that flies every Thursday, "Dry by lunch"
the favours we won't record
your views a general consensus.

You're so old
you can't move a muscle
and I wonder "Do you know"?
The promise made to never let this happen to each other
that death might be preferable.

You're so old
you flaunt your nudity without really knowing
like the curtain's open on purpose
the same as you forgot to shut a door
because you needed to piss so badly.

You're so old
that like when I'm tired it's sleep you seek
only with you it's all day
mouth agape, catching flies and zeds
trouser legs to your knees.

You're so old
you laugh when I dance.
Before I was king of a nowhere
but it's humour you need
it's distraction from fate.

You're so old
tattoos make a person "Common"
despite uniqueness and art
when you've never worked
ignoring the kindness.

You're so old
have you forgotten youth?
Things only happening since a loved ones departure
since you needed tending
since yours are the best of all.

You're so old
baby-sitting, baby-sat?
You don't understand the simple
yet keep it so much so
a change comes like a mystery.

You're so old
Will we that are young catch up?
Will we exceed?
Will we know if we do?
For we will be so old.