Monet’s Sheltered Path
by Marcel Aime Duclos

The path from the cottage
on the edge of the village
soon rises to the east.

After morning gruel
frock    beret    cane in right hand
le vieillard    at eighty

no longer delights in
the hirondelle's chirp song.
He swallows meals of grief.

Bent forward    walks uphill
rounds the corner to the woods
hears not the trodding feet.

Thick cataracts disguise
a lifelong friend on foot
directions of his steps.

Soon enough    cold wet winds
will shiver leaves to the ground.
Two old friends will join them

step together uphill
escape old village church yard
hear and see the rising.




Editor’s Note:
le vieillard the old man
hirondelle swallow

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