Carry

can I return the favor

can I help you carefully

you held me so mindfully

unhurried and watchful

I hold on to you protectively

cautious and vigilant

I do not carry you, I carry your knowledge

how to move silently, deliberately, aware

I am grateful for this

but mournful

I cannot see you as you were

you think of me as I was

the march of time creates new faces

out of old ones

and older ones

out of young ones