Zealot of the crazy paving or pavement,

to the short-sighted pensioner a pointless pettifog,

stoic  though not reckless in staccato-like stride,

cane waving in a fervent frosty sweep,

age  is neither plight nor hindrance, 

only skewed perception,

rendez-vous in a roundabout place to spite dementia,

window flung open by grey haired neighbour without gumption,

Nosey gossip at the cutting edge of rumour,

condescension from my own breed,

cheerful  wave from care free youth on bike,

wind borne words of kindness make, the early morning chill seem less harrowing,

tread marks of a different kind await unless,we ward them off with stout forbearance,

intuition,

my one and only compass at this point,

At every point be alert. 

mind  the icy patch astride the curb,

ah, there she is, her wrinkled outline in feint colour,

madam’s  crutches like my cane, 

a badge of honour,

soul mate of a certain vintage,

a date with time