Disappointed Eyes #2

Tattered armchairs hug pensioners, blanketed and slippered,
gazes averted from threadbare carpet, cold tea in chipped, beloved china.
Thankful for their private gallery on cold and tainted walls,
each academic year is marked with love.
High priced scores with uniform smiles, scholars in prestigious gowns.

Atop empty fireplace, family frames display babies on beaches exotic,
smiling honeymoon couples on yacht and summit.
Lives aloof, generations tethered, by dollar and bus passes.
Uninvolved, twilight years are scored with postcards
or short, long-distance calls from penthouse plush.

Another Christmas without their pride and joy who -
won’t ever see those disappointed eyes.