The Old Man

Sitting a table away

I heard the old man say

To a young boy

Possibly his grandson:

“Back in my day

Come what may

We would always say

With eyes closed:

Buck up!

Buck up!”

“Did it work?” the lad asks

“Oh yes, indeed

Bet your bean stalks

On it, you could.”

“Bean stalks?”

“Don’t hear much these days

About bean stalks, but then,

Back then, everyone had ‘em.”

“Could you get me one, Grandpa?”

“No, son, I can’t, I can’t.

But you can. Just ask for one

In your dreams.”