The Older Gentleman in the Corner

It’s not the rude descriptions
That startle you at some point
On longevity’s road—

It’s the ones striving to be polite
Even when out of earshot.
Given all the socially

Salient data manifest
On your surfaces—clothing,
Coloring, grooming (or lack),

Stature (also lack), crooked,
Asymmetrical framework,
Black crutches, etc.,

Or whatever such may be
In your case, eventually,
The appearance of aging

Will trump all else for strangers,
At which point you ask yourself,
Do all souls become the same,

Or is there no other trait
More important we can share?
The ancient are ancient first.