First day of summer—
 
an old man hopes his grandson
 
will bring some ice cream.

 
 
 

In the oak tree’s shade
 
a homeless man and his dog
 
take a midday nap.

 

 
 
 

On his homeward way
 
an old man trudges slowly,
 
weighed down by spring rain.

 

 
 
 

April afternoon—
 
an old man blowing smoke rings
 
makes some children laugh.

 

 
 
 

On the old stone bridge
 
one man waits for another
 
in the pouring rain.

 
 
 

On my morning walk
 
I watch a schoolboy watching
 
the man who feeds birds.

 
 
 

No one knows the name
 
of the man who sleeps each night
 
near the temple gate.

 
 
 

Last night of the year—
 
in his favorite dumpster,
 
a homeless man snores.

 
 
 

An old man’s pet dove
 
perches on his left shoulder,
 
cooing morning songs.

 
 
 

A man drinking tea
 
lifts his arthritic left hand
 
to brush off a fly.