He once was a handsome young man
A young lady he took in his hand
They vowed to journey together
through the good and the terrible weather

Leaping ahead many a year
to shorten the story here
Now in the days of old age
It is here that I set the stage

The man that once was smarter
Now needs a memory jump-starter
He will often do things that will shame
the least of which is remembering names

He once took a walk barefooted
with his pride and dignity disputed
'Where are your shoes old man? '
'Your feet are wrinkled and tan! '

He turned and looked square in the eye
while holding his head so high
'Why, they're right there in plain view.
I'm wearing my alligator shoes.'

Dedicated to my father succumbing to Alzheimer's
Sometime if you don't laugh
You won't


(7 April 2007)

JoJo Bean

http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/barefoot-i-walk-with-my-alligator-shoes/