Poetry by Jake Webster When Old Women Gather

Not so long ago

When old women gather

It was to bury their husbands

Now it is hard to say

Unless you are invited into their conversations

When old women gather

It may as well be to bury their sons and their daughters

More than likely to bury their grands

When old women gather

There were times when old women gathered

The talk was about growing old

Not that sixty-five is the end of the line

The streets are not safe nor the houses they live in

When old women gather

It is for their protection

Their conversations should be about love not about fear

When old women gather

Will we ever ease the pain?

When old women gather

Will we give them the laughter that they have earned?

When old women gather

The conversations should be about good times

Good times that have come and gone

The conversations should be about the peace

Peace in the mist of the storm

When old women gather

They should not gather to mourn

When old women gather