Are we drifting quietly

Are we drifting quietly

Into senility

Content to while away

As the world turns

Amusing each other

To a great or lesser degree

In anecdotes

Designed as party pieces

Recalling greater involvement

In the shape of things

Unless by chance

Invention has altered

The landscape

Beyond any hope of recognition

We dare to gild our lilies

As virtuous impressions,

Passionate expression

Is in short supply

But not forgotten,

There is always the possibility

We find ourselves

In close harmony

With a passing stranger

They themselves too afraid

Of intrusion to trample

Down any barricades

We might build to protect

Against destruction

Our very own

Pared down

Pocket-sized

Fortress of solitude,

We all have one

A carefully crafted retreat

A safe place

To nurse our wounds

Away from the hurtful gaze

Of the new world,

And as we both stop

To ponder

The value of vulnerability

The moments pass

Without too great a disruption

In the disposition

Of another remarkably sunny afternoon

Reclining

In the glacial paradise

Of imperfect isolation