I could not imagine

my parents being young

they were old the day I met them

and remained old till the day they died

but I often wonder

how they would have been

as young people

as young lovers

I wonder how they met

and if they kissed on their first date

or kissed at all

until they tied the knot

the whole idea of sexuality

seemed so foreign to them

it was a strict and structured world they lived in

with formalities and rules that had to be followed

would they recognize the world today

when hooking up is common on first dates

and racy photos run around middle schools

when children are abused

and babies left in dumpsters

I have to say they would be shocked and saddened

and I am glad they passed before the world changed

before they had to witness

the ugliness of what we have become.