Same man......different time.

The young dad playing with his kids

In the local park.

On the swings and round-a-bouts,

Laughing...what a lark.

Couples walking arm in arm

Smile and give a wave.

At the children's antics

And the way that they behave.

Sitting on a bench nearby

Is an elderly looking man.

Coughing in his handkerchief

Discretely as he can.

The couples walking past the bench

Might look at him and glare.

Because there's talk of pedophiles

Being there just to stare.

In fact he used to play right there,

Like the dad across the way.

But he smoked for years and years

And now he has to pay.

It was the fashion years ago

And smoking was no crime.

But he still goes into the park.

Same man.... different time.

[sassy59]

That's so true Don and very well put. Xxxx

[Dmactds]

Yes..., thank you for this thought today; it comes to all of us doesn't it, after a lifetime of struggle and turmoil and tears, many will end as they began: toothless, bald, helpless and in diapers.

As "Hank" said, "...never get outta this world alive..."

.

[Hidden in reply to Dmactds]

Goddammit! I was trying to make you cry not LOL!

[Dmactds in reply to Hidden]

Can't get 'sad' about something as inevitable as getting older and eventually dying; that'd be like getting sad over my next breath. Doesn't make sense.

Now...., if you go shoot Dolly Parton..., that'd make me sad....

[Hidden in reply to Dmactds]

I don't suppose Dolly would be too happy either. She's going to live forever.

[Katinka46 in reply to Hidden]

Made me cry, but I'm a terrible softy.

[mrsmummy]

Very thought provoking...and sad.

[DiannaH]

Fabulous , very moving.

[O2Trees]

Very sad and poignant Don.

[Magpuss]

Bitter sweet - and that photograph illustrates it perfectly.

[Pam1952]

Well done Don. You've done it again, sniff! 😢 XXX

[Time_2_drink]

Really touched me haunting

[hufferpuffer]

I'm crying now Son, how could I not! Ma x😢

[Hidden]

Did I mention I have shares in Kleenex?