Fragments

You are you but not the same you,
alive, your hair and toenails growing,
your mind on other things.
You do not remember yesterday
can't imagine tomorrow,
watch with the absorption of an infant
the single magpie who hops towards us
across the grass, glorious in black and white,
say what a handsome fellow.

You no longer ask for anything
expect anything,
yet your need has not been greater
since you were a tiny child
dependent on others
for food, clothes and shelter.