I watched each step
As she crossed that road
After leaving the safe shelter
Of her humble abode

Her clothes looked comfortable
With billowy cotton sleeves
And I suspected her socks
Were likely pulled up to her knees

Her hat was placed neatly
Atop a bed of pearly white hair
And as she slowly strode along
I couldn’t help but stop and stare

Her strides were shortened
By hips that dared not move
And her uniquely designed cane
Didn’t do much to improve

She seemed determined
Yet unhurried in decisive fashion
To get to wherever it was
Which was driving her inner passion

I sensed freedom in her jaunt
Though not of the physical kind
And I believe our brief encounter
Was solely meant to remind

For she made me think of the worries
The ones I cling to every day
And yet she so unintentionally
Seemed to leave hers miles away

I knew she’d discovered the secret
Found only in aging years
The one we all hope to find
To help lessen our irrational fears

And so she taught me a lesson that day
About my own life and who I am
And how I shouldn’t worry about the things
That I will never fully understand

I just wish I could thank her
For the encouragement she provided
It’s hard to find that these days
In a world so terribly divided

© 2019 Michelle Cook