A strange thing happens as I age,
Which cannot be controlled.
I tend to focus, everywhere,
On people who are old.
Today, a doctor’s waiting room,
A check-up for my eyes,
Was filled with those so elderly,
From seats they couldn’t rise.
As names were called, they shuffled out,
(Our wait time very wrong!)
But watching them, I wondered,
Is this group where I belong?
To get there, on the bus I sat
As people moved inside,
With canes and walkers, hoping
For a seat unoccupied.
And on TV, up on the stage,
On Oscar night, I saw
The older actors missing
All their sparkle, once a draw.
When I was young, I rarely noticed
Seniors within range,
Yet now, reluctantly, I see
My view’s begun to change.
My twin sister wanted to say “hi” to Edna, a neighbor lady
Someone I had not seen in fifty years
I was not keen, having never liked her.
But my sister insisted, so I said “okay” after a lot of begging.
We stopped at Edna’s house.
My twin rang the doorbell.
Edna came outside.
I heard her say “Hi Carolyn!” in a delighted way
Then she saw me and said “Caren what HAVE you been EATING?”
a reminder that I outweigh my twin sister by forty pounds.
Despite the lectures
we sought one another
love her like a sister
she loves me like a brother
I left the table gathering
bits of conversation
chatting with others
I learned she wished to marry
we joked about our status
and smiled when we spoke
of us together
She hunched me with her elbow
and told me a kiss change me
ever since then we were together
she really makes me happy
night swallows the light of day
under the glaring moon
hazy humid summers
a evening dinner in june
we wished to marry
on Valentine
on a cold frosty day
but the baby was due in
august
the moment carried us away
The child was reluctantly admitted to the meditation circle.
She wore a necklace with a mandala
Was this arrogance or ignorance?
How enlightened can she be? We asked each other.
I admit we were snotty about it.
I was one who was a doubter.
Our meditation was silent and enjoyable.
We were asked to share what we had seen.
The child was hesitant.
The master kept asking.
I saw myself, she finally admitted.
That is surely wrong, I thought.
The master bowed to the child.
You are now my instructor he told her.
Santa was on vacation, but with a cane unfortunately.
He was older now, and walked slowly, his time so free.
I could have enjoyed this longer, he thought when I was young.
When he wore handsome clothing – tuxedo with cummerbund.
You are doing okay Mrs. Claus told her man who finally retired.
But he did not think so, for being lazy was not how he was wired.
Plans go helter skelter awry as I climb into bed
snoring deeply in the middle of a beautiful afternoon
fiercely living my age
I wake up hearing anguished animal cries
my heart beats faster
I never do determine the source or the species
Climb out of bed reluctantly, thinking it is Monday
Not as refreshed as I hoped, not wanting to go to work yet
Discover it is Sunday and feel immediately completely refreshed.
Dog shares recliner
Reluctantly
Pushing me
Toward the edge
Pretending she is
Asleep
Little boy with hair in curl,
Pretty as most any girl.
Feed you well to make you grow
Wishing that the time would slow.
Proud I am to see you growing,
Even though it’s with the knowing
Each step is one more step away
From the little boy I love today.
For just this while I hold you tight,
Tuck you in to sleep at night,
Playing part in bigger plan
For little boy, too soon a man.
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