old men in cafes

For years, the women whittle away perfectly productive days in parks and cafes and street corners
with little ones at their knees
Grasping for food or love or the toy that has fallen
While they attempt to finish/speak/have a complete thought

And now they are all gone…

Replaced by aged men
Who fritter away entire mornings
Engaged in the ritual of companionship and conversation

While their female counterparts
similarly aged,
Practice yoga or Pilates
or run a campaign
or build a community center

Each balancing
what was lost
in the heat
of living