An Old Man with Confidence

I like an old man with confidence

written in bold letters 

like skywriting if you please 

across his very existence

not held in place by the little woman

but securely fixed to stay

when he stands apart

alone even in a crowded room

full of gray business suits

topped by gray, gray and balding,

and shiny balding heads

leaning together whispering and chuckling

taking care not to laugh out loud 

having learned somewhere back in time

that gut busting laughter is undignified.

I like an old man who laughs anyway

defying everything

especially the slipperiness

and unpredictability of earth

knowing full well how unforgiving of mistakes

is the well ordered universe

and ignoring the fact

that there is out there in a field somewhere

a hole into which he will one day stumble.