The Old Know

[busker]

The Old Know
 
The old know how to fold a map,
to use a rotary phone and
untangle the cord.
 
They know the serenity in writing a letter,
the joy of receiving the reply,
the anticipation in between. ... I like how between the second and third lines of this strophe there is a degree of anticipation here itself
 
The old know that walking,
face in a phone is dangerous
so, they don’t.
 
They know and(?) how days are short
when long in years.
 
The old know the gift of loving for a lifetime,
and the loneliness of one left behind.
 
The old know the only thing worse
than death,
is not living.

I think you could lose some of the 'they know's - suggestions above
The last strophe (in green) is cliched. The poem deserves a better ending.
Overall, a nice read