aging

by

preparing for death…

as aunt bea
and
i
were leaving
the grocery store
a young man
from the gym
and
health spa
next door
was standing
beneath
one of those
easy-up tents
encouraging
passers-by
to visit their facility
for
a free
physical make-over
noting
how
such
a program
could provide
a rebirth of youth
aunt bea
said
there comes
a time
young man
when
you have
to admit
that the mainspring
is busted
and
no amount of winding
is going
to make
the clock
run any longer
best to
just
enjoy each tick
or
toc
as a beautiful day
one
at a time

by

just a closer walk…

the marks
on his soul
did not show
nor
was he aware
how deeply
they cut into his being
his
responses
to everyday events
were
normal behavior
at least
that’s what he
believed
for so many years
until
death
began to walk
beside him
whispering
small details
he had not observed
nor
the cage
within
which
he had been placed
death
said
your belief
has blinded you
and
encouraged you
to be
a brave little soldier
independent
solving problems
on your own
but
did you not
notice
how all of nature
is connected
how
all things
are
dependent
upon one another
but
an independent beast
once
separated
from
the pack
becomes
the easiest
of
all prey
to devour
for
it’s weakest
when
its pride
convinces it
to
stand alone
come
walk with me
for
a short while
and
see the unseen

 

by

garage sale…

i have several
items
for sale
most
have not
been touched
in seven
or
more years
so
should have been
tossed out
according to authorities
on personal clutter
but
i’ve had them
neatly stored
in containers
some
in boxes
requiring dusting
others
in
old photo graphs
with
minor
moisture damage
there’s
even a few
cassettes
of
music
for young lovers
and
although
i’m unwilling
to throw them away
i’m more
than willing
to share
these
old memories
at
bargain prices