The sky swam,

The sky swam,

Awash with mackerel

He was too old to party

Took pleasure in leisure

More tailored to his needs.

Enjoyed a genial walk

Before breakfast.

A jaunty journey,

Through the dawning of morning.

An awakening of sorts,

For the waifs and strays

Warming cold hands

In the hot air, escaping

Through an open door

At the back of the bakers,

A fresh bread smell, wetting the appetite.

He remembered hard times

When the cup of kindness

Rarely overflowed

And took time out to share a piece

Of his good fortune.

Got a kiss for his trouble

From old Molly,

Who carried a brolly

In all weathers

And pushed a shopping trolley.

Filled it with all she found

As she wandered around,

The same old path every day.

He heard the squeak of the wheels

From a mile away.

But it was worth the wait,

For the smile alone.

She had a gold tooth,

Just the one,

Right at the front,

Her pride and joy

Along with a snap of a little boy

She said was her son

One day over

A mug of tea and an iced bun.

The boy was taken by the social

Many years ago,

The picture, tear stained

And threadbare,

Summed her up really.

He would miss her when the time came.

She had a big heart

But it was a heavy cart

And one day

It would prove too much.

The arthritis

Was turning her hands into claws.

He knew what that was like,

It took him off the street.

The pain still affected his feet

But he kept as warm as toast now

In his studio flat.

Just him and the cat.

It felt like heaven, to be up at seven

And know he had

Somewhere to be, something to do

Down to the café for a butty and brew

Spend some time in the library

And home for two.

Watch the Antiques Roadshow

With the cat on his lap

Drift off, have a short nap

Safe in the knowledge

Nobody would steal his stuff.

Not that he had much

But what he did have

Was just enough.