The Gay Old Man

a poem by Jan Oskar Hansen

He sat alone in the park the gay old man, waiting for love!
A young couple walked by.
They giggled knowing him and his need.
So, who do they think they are?
The only only ones who has the right to be loved?
As I walked by, he stroke a match to light a cigarette
and I saw a heart wrenching loneliness in his eyes,
sent him a smile which he welcomed,
but I didn’t sit down by his side you see.
I’m a coward too, it worried me
what people might think
seeing me sitting beside an old queen.