one last look before we go

i can

see that he respects himself.

that

he looks in

the mirror before

he leaves

the house, and takes care

to comb

his hair,

to trim his beard.

the buttons

are aligned,

the shirt neat and clean,

unwrinkled,

the shoes

shined.

there's a vanity in him,

even at ninety.

let's hope

it never ends.