jan oskar hansen

The Reformatory

Cottage needs a lick of paint

but the old man isn´t bothered

let flakes of paint blow

away layers by layers as

calendar years.

Let wind and rain strip cement off walls

till the old stones appears

a skeleton ancient as the land.

The old man has bought new shoes

but they do not give

springs in his steps, and feet ask

for the trust carpet slippers for

he will not go out in the rain

get his face wet in youthful jubilation

Old age has made his home

into a maximum security prison;

there is no escape.