Calloused fingers, big hands,

holding my own, strong and tight,

saying you'll all always be there.

Soft brown skin, 

folds and lines grace your face,

but when you smile, 

I know you're still there.

I remember when your hair was still black and curly,

now it's gray and flat.

It's harder to get up now

and your bones make music everytime you move

but you're still there. 

Needles, drips,

pill after sour pill,

you make sentences that don't quite make sense

but when you laugh,

I know somehow you're still there.

And when I look into your eyes,

the twinkle of recognition,

the passing glimpse of "Hey, it's you.."

goes away as fast as it came.

I don't know who cries harder,

but deep in my heart

I know you're still there. 

You've been gone a few days now,

dust to dust, they said

but the sun keeps shining

and the flowers you planted keep blooming,

and even that dog who ate your scraps keeps coming,

so I already know

you're still here.