She was raised in a family
that hated black people
just because they looked
different.

She grew up with her
parents’ bias and began
to pass the unjustifired hate
on to her children.

But, mercifully, one day
a compassionate black woman
saved her son from drowning,
which opened her eyes to the
goodness in many of that race.

Thereafter she altered her thinking
and acceptance of people not of
her race.

And the years of hate drained out
of her, replaced with acceptance
and love, which she passed on
to her children.

Bob Boyd

I see two beautiful swans floating in a pond,
like soulmate birds together forever.
They look so sublime, and how beautiful
they would look in a painting.
It’s all so grand until a duck with her little
ducklings appears, and the swans begin
attacking the mother duck and her babies.
And the beautiful swans become uglier
than the ugly duckling and so predatory.
I wade into the water, distract the swans,
as they begin attacking me.
But at least the ducks get away, and I
stave off the vicious swans with my cane.

Bob Boyd

His body gets weaker, stiffer,
rising from a chair without using the armrest
takes more effort.
Sometimes he experiences soreness in
his aging legs upon waking,
and his walking is bit more labored.
He feels like its pre rigor mortis creeping in,
signaling his impending demise.
As he wakes more from the sleeping world,
the weakness, stiffness and soreness lessen.
And he’s grateful for having lived a long life.

Bob Boyd