Older Married Couple Observed in Barnes & Noble

I see by their aging

ringed hands

That gently holds books

They love reading

Almost as much as

they love each other

See deep within the fire place

Of heart and mind

The end pieces

of their American Dream

Left behind

Still struggling,

Still hopeful

They circle their center

Put one book down,

take up another

Journey toward Parnassus

Shedding their skins

Through the shelter

Of each other