Whittling Life Away

With a small blue pocket knife Willem whittles wood, fashions simple dolls. His old-age life consists of morning rations: stale bread, coffee, a few almonds, apples he portions into quarters saving two for the old gray mare. Today cool delta breezes flow through an unkempt yard; two willows sway. Willem says his life's okay. Staring out across the lawn he sighs--wonders where it's gone.