At last I’m old enough br br old enough not to be br embarrassed when br it happens br br it can be when br some athlete stands br and mouths the words of br their national anthem br as the flag waves br br or a young musician br makes their first, fresh br debut playing some br often played classic br as if it had never br been played before br br or a cloud passes and br the sunlight reaches into br the room and says br look at this crystal vase, br look at this flower br look at this dewdrop br br or someone who was anyone br a moment ago br smiles br br oh so many so little big things and br my chest heaves, shudders, br and my heart not my eyes br is shaking with tears which br cannot be explained but br only recognised for br whence they come br beyond tears br br at last I’m old enough br not to be embarrassed br by this joy br though br I make the excuse br to go into another room br in casebr br Michael Shepherdbr br