local heroes

each thursday
they roll
an array
of musical gear
past
the nurses’ station
down hallways
full
of the scent
of aging
and
death
postponed
ending
their journey
in
the senior
activities center
it’s a gig
they look forward to
when they can
bring some joy
into the routine days
of so many
there’s mary
a mother of three
grandmother of more
than she can count now
she
raised not only
her own children
but
her children’s children
she always sits near frank
whose broad smile appears
when they play tunes
from the 60s
tunes
he first heard
in vietnam
where
he lost his legs
oh
and there’s
jordan
saved his wife
from a fire
they say
he
never speaks
but
always hums
the old standards
when played
so many smiles
to take in
and
relish
however
all too soon
it’s the last song
and then
the heroes
applaud

© 2015, poem and illustration, Charles W. Martin, All rights reserved