A Worn Path

  I am old; the oldest person I know.  Even though it is a simple walk, it is long, and drains my energy.I walk through the forest, and some of the animals I fear, for I am afraid they will get in my way. The owls, foxes, beetles, jackrabbits, and raccoon will not stop me though; I have a task to complete and I cannot be stopped.
  I am old; the oldest person I know. The hill is my biggest challenge. Will I be able to make the hike? It is steep and long, but I move courageously at my sluggish pace. I go up, up up, until I reach the top. I look down the other side and see my next challenge: going down.
  I am old; the oldest person I know.  I need to rest, but struggle against slipping into a dream and forgetting my task. I see a boy, and he offers me cake, but what I long for is his company. I reach for the cake, but he has disappeared. I must move on.
  I am old; the oldest person I know. A dog smashes into me and I fall. Because I am old, I can't get up. I wait, wait and wait, praying that someone will come along and help me. A hunter, a white man, comes. He helps me up and begins mocking me. But I am not afraid or ashamed, even when he points a gun at me, for I have a task to complete, and I cannot be stopped. I go on my way, and move towards the town, dragging my body, willing myself to push on.
  I am old; the oldest person I know. I go into town. My feet remember the way to go, even though my mind does not. I enter the clinic, but momentarily forget why I am there. The receptionist gets angry, and begins yelling. My old mind finally remembers, for the person I am completing the task for is the most important in the world to me. I get the medicine from the clinic and a nickle from the receptionist, and along with the nickle I stole from the hunter, I plan to buy him a pinwheel. "He" is my grandson.
  I am old; the oldest person I know. I have completed my task. I have retrieved the medicine for my grandson. He swallowed lye, and suffers. This is why I cannot stop, as he needs the medicine to heal.
  I am the old; the oldest person I know. Although I don't know it, I am strong: mentally, physically, and morally. This journey proves it. My attitude and perspective on the world makes me happy, even though I struggle.
  I am old; the oldest person I know, but when I have a task to complete, I cannot be stopped.