Applause no Encore

 
they mumble for their supper
ringing their bells for attention
none hear no one cares
decaying... no longer of any use

some on wheelchairs
some love the rocking ones
reminds them of dancing
in ballrooms in memories fading

they talk of children and grandchildren
who married who and went with whom
grandchildren with their children
but they hardly see their broods

families are smiling pieces of paper
stuck in glass frames mounted on the wall
touched fondly everytime they wake
a pause to remember names

they smile remembering two jobs
they held on to so junior can go
to the best college
and they did, graduate with honour

the gentle touches they gave
to beloved child are repaid
by gentle touch of nurses
wiping their faces of cruds

they lived their life
applauded in their thoughts
encores are silent
like lost children along the way

they sit on the sofa
watching the flickering screen
watching images of lovers and dancers
they were there too

once.