I want to be an old man with you
to weave a lifetime tapestry
and repaint bedrooms
plant more Korean boxwoods
and take more pictures
of the kids as they dress up
and become adults
I want to be an old man with you
and feel the warm
reassuring grip of your hand
as we stroll through Decembers
and sit on our bench
on the warm July nights
beneath a blanket of ancient stars
I want to be an old man with you
and remember all the ways we changed
and inwardly smile because
we never were in doubt
not for a second
I want to be an old man with you
and hear you laugh a million-fold
to dry your tears, both happy and sad
and feel your heartbeat
when in your embrace
and to wonder
who said “I love you” first
and to revel
in its infinite echo.