ups and downs

his motorized chair
clunks and squeals
up the stairs, he has
coffee in hand,
and a mouthful of words
he wants to say.
bracing himself
against each wall
and door, he waddles
forward to where i'm
working. he
leans in, and with
a smile, says hey.
mind if i hang out for
awhile.
he tells me about his
hip, his leg,
the war, the next
war.
his son and wife,
he asks me
if I've ever been married.
he says, there are
ups and downs, then
laughs. he looks away,
grows quiet.
coffee, he says,
finishing his.
sure i tell him.
so back down he goes,
riding the chair,
the chain needing oil.