"Through Julia's Eyes"

She’s become a part of my days
sitting there on the bench
in the shade by the fountain.

She doesn’t see the trash piled up by the refuse can
she only sees the birds pecking for scraps
and she shares her lunch with them;
simple fare carried in a brown paper bag
which she folds and puts back into her pocket.

She watches as the couples go by hand in hand
and I know she’s thinking of when hers were warmed
by the gentle touch of a long ago lover.

Serenity is what you see on her face.
Time has robbed her of her youth
but given her wisdom and memories in return;
a lifetime showing through in placid compliance.

The children see her, call her name, and run to greet her
she speaks and they laugh and she laughs with them.
She smiles at passers by who barely give her a glance.
Ready to depart she waves at the tree squirrels
then smiles at the mid-day sun.

With the dignity of one who has lived long enough
to see the beauty in all things she departs
down the lane from whence she came.
Calm of spirit, infusing the day with her grace.

I find the world to be a wonderous place,
when seen ... through Julia’s eyes.

© Marcia Miller-Twiford