My Friend Bill

My friend Bill stays home all day.

He can’t see well, he doesn’t play.

Though tennis had been his game

Glaucoma troubles him; he’s not the same.

He had played with students from near and far;

His days are quiet now; he can’t drive a car.

My friend Bill misses those games,

Much more the students, he claims.

He’d invite them for tea or the Bible to read;

Friendships would grow, something we all do need.

Now he spends days listening to books,

Preparing a sand-which; he seldom cooks.

His wife lets him cycle to shop nearby,

A few things to purchase, or to someone say hi.

For otherwise Bill’s inside; he’s 88 years.

Treasuring good he gave, the future holds no fears.

Still, my friend Bill stays home most days,

Problems with vision and advancing years –

Life’s quiet now and hard in this phase

For my friend Bill.