Touch of Blood

WHEN you are old and gray and full of sleep Worry not, for with gladness I will be by your side ‘Til my sight is drowned in the cataract of tears I will read, for you, the verses your lips once had Sounding on the flowers of time For the little gods, to enjoy, as they tread The path of their adolescence Everyday, I will shake The pillows of your twilight nights To collect Your remnants. I will paint them With lush of my thoughts, using the fingers Of your favorite Northern star That you may feel the warm Touch of your Own blood WHEN you are old and gray and full of sleep -- “Inspired by the masters” a poetry contest sponsored by: Tracy Decker first line: WHEN you are old and gray and full of sleep from William Butler Yeats’ poem “When You are Old”