Rules for Old Men Waiting (2005) by Peter R. Pouncey follows eighty-year-old historian Robert MacIver as he grapples with grief and mortality in the wake of his wife Margaret's death. Living in their beloved yet decaying Cape Cod home, MacIver reflects on his life while writing a short story set in the trenches of World War I. As he creates a list of simple rules to maintain order in his final days, he confronts memories of loss, his son's tragic death in Vietnam, and his complex relationships in academia. Interwoven with MacIver’s narrative are the experiences of four soldiers in the trenches, particularly focusing on artist Tim Callum and his struggles against bullying and rage. Through these parallel stories, MacIver ultimately finds a sense of peace, preparing himself to face his own death with dignity and resolve. The novel has been praised for its lyrical prose and emotional depth, marking an impressive debut from Pouncey, who dedicated over twenty years to crafting the story.
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