The Golden Years

Shoulder to shoulder Grandfathers move slowly Down the hall of assisted living, Clinging to walkers That roll on the carpet, Laughing and telling secrets. An old John Wayne movie Is showing tonight As the men become youngsters Playing cowboys and Indians or Bold handsome sheriff Disarming masked bandits As horses raise dust And guns explode. The Alzheimer patient has left his room Grasping for memories of the Bands he played in While boring his grandchildren, The rock generation; He sings off key and smiles at an audience That only lives on in his mind.