Feeding Finches
J.J. Owens

The feeder hangs for 3 years
and the old Chinese man sits
watches the finches

The old Chinese man
walks on legs which
no longer know how,

on the arm of a metal shaft
and with it
leaves his dignity.

He sits and watches the kids
with eyes that look with memory
more than with sight.

He hears with soft whispers
their laughter, their fun
and remembers

Running along streams
on strong legs
on mountains of green

An apartment
filled with family
now empty

The old Chinese man
dock worker
maintenance man

The old Chinese man
Father
Grandfather

Once helpful
now sits and watches
the finches

Who come like
grandchildren
and he waits to fly


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