A Man Reminded Me

In the egg aisle
a man reminded me of my
American-born Italian grandpa.
His hair was stark white
growing mostly on the sides
of his bronzed head.
I took a few good looks,
and felt sad to think of someone
I have lost. After,
as I pushed my cart
toward the checkout lines,
I saw him again, moving away from me —
and even his gait was like grandpa’s:
square, with a slight limp…
And I thought it better to be grateful
than saddened, to see this glimpse
of someone gone
long ago.

written November 2021