The winter air was cold
in the extreme.

Age was proving
to be far more
difficult
than he ever imagined.

Too many days
had passed by

too many nights
had been spent alone

too many dreams
had disappeared

too many notes
had been left unsung.

Walking the tightrope
looked so easy
from the ground

but up here
it’s scary.

Always looking
upward, to avoid
dizziness

he walked back
home from the station
into the rest of his life.