once free

you see them
in the parks. at the benches.
perhaps
sitting on the stone
ledge
of a fountain.
throwing bread towards
the ducks.
men and women
gone grey.
it may be early day,
or late
into the afternoon, no
matter.
the other life
has ended. the clock no
longer
a factor in where they
need to go
or be. it's this now.
unleashed to do whatever
it is one finds
to do, once free.