Orphan

Looking up, wonderous under a big sky

steel grey, threatening to fall

in an empty school playground

awaiting my granddaughter Alys

the most unusual sensation

of being alone, of being watched

an old-age orphan

abandoned

to deal with a lifetime of life

now suddenly under review

the crushing feeling of inadequacy

scrutinized

how could they have left me

to deal with all this?

© Graham Sherwood 02/2019