Short Arthritic Poems

lying on  sidewalk
stretching in total ecstasy
an old arthritic dog...

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lined arthritic hands
age spots of autumn's presence..
basil~ garlic scent ...

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These gnarly arthritic old hands at the end of my sleeves
No longer do what they'er ask; even if I say please...

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Hands
Small, large
Smooth, wrinkled
Arthritic, aged
Palms  

Written April 23, 2017...

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An arthritic grey Gnu
Could not manage to put on his shoe
His back would not bend
So in the end
He decided his shoe he would chew...

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cool green leaves rustling
hot red tin roof expanding-
freedom of movement
stiff arthritic limbs longing
go - exercise caution - stop...

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arthritic hands search the fretboard
finding chords that hurt the least
the old guitar brings a toothless grin
then we sneak a sip of whiskey...

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Arthritic fingers
Unfold the crumbling parchment
Stained with tears and words
Her blind eyes no longer see
And feels the deep impressions
Still there after all these years


For Rick's contest...

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a thin film of pride
scorn'd by the green and vintage
merlot dialogues
coagulated thoughts, make
growing pains turn arthritic

---------
If I never learn to take criticism.....how will I grow?...

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It all tastes like
Brown manila
Rusty tools

Fading, planes escape into
Lily pad clouds
Shrinking yellow rays stroll
Across dusty floors
Arthritic Autumn smoke
Sweet in
Forgotten drawers opened
Far away
Put away in
Brown manila envelopes...

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Acid reflux.
Swollen ankles.
Arthritic feet.
Try not to get old.

Extra weight.
Bad teeth.
Unhappy gums.
Stay young as long as you can.

Sluggishness.
Apathy.
Indifference.
Okay, now, people, we’re getting into choices now.

Choose wisely....

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Sunlight seeps
through the blinds,
oozes into the room.
The ceiling fan sweats
from its labor.
The clock creeps
at half speed,
pendulum dragging
through syrupy air.

On the stoop,
the old cat sprawls,
soothing her arthritic joints.

7/13/2017...

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No longer can she play 'midst waterfalls
    or dive into a clear blue lake
  Part of her forever stalled
    part arthritic ache

  Yet in her home a magic room
    wherein's dispelled the gloom
  Flick-o'-the-wrist a gentle rain
    to wash away the pain...

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Tiny bell on smooth mirror
Reflective and pensive
Adorable tinkling sound
She strives to hear

Blurry clock face
Distorted and daunting
Losing sight of it quickly
Age takes its toll

Arthritic knees
Chiding her daily
Smell of vanilla
Reminds her of her youth...

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Came
snow flakes
onto hands
grown arthritic,
hands wanting mittens.

Flaunting, frigid Mother
displaying her wicked winds
with a thoughtless ferocity.

Only a crackling fire brought
a heart lifting in anticipation.



     for Constance "Let It Snow" contest...

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Dust covered webs clinging to longevity
oily dirt floors aching to feel the sun
hanging pull string lights swing
eerie shadows a-dance on coal blackened wood
creaking boards arthritic lament
stone walls weeping in the dark
 

©10/10/2019

Goosebumps Poetry Contest...

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gnarled arthritic fingers
no longer can dance across
ebony and ivory

her active mind
recalls notes she once played
musical memories linger

Visual 1 Selected

FLOW WITH THE COLLUM LUNE Poetry Contest

Sponsored by Nette Onclaud

05/11/20...

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Aching feet
Legs feel like sticks
Back and shoulders 
Need a fix.

Hands arthritic,
Can't take the cold
Workin' too hard
And gettin' old.

Too tired body
Depletes my mind
Devastated by
The daily grind

Here comes Thursday
Friday's best
Thankful for
A weekend rest....

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Gray air.
Silent lair.
Rain: needles threaded
threaded with liquid despair.

Old man. Chair.
Window bare.
Suffers existence
with time to spare.

Life behind.
Daily grind.
Wealthy: healthy
state of mind.

Arthritic form.
Barometric norm.
Tears: who left the child
out in the storm.


10/24/23...

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Booties on tiny feet
                                                           
Skipping in new white tennies

Wobbling in first high heels

Gliding in wedding slippers
                         
Chasing kids in sensible flats

Arthritic fingers and velcro straps

...   No shoes needed in the after- life...

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In vast realm between both false realities 
efforts of a strained bowel movement collapse
like the arithmetic dreams of abacus beads.
Arthritic persistence contemplates procrastination
while stillborn attempts at cleverness 
seem to flicker as defibrillator paddles exchange electrons.
You can’t revive what wasn’t alive.
...

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Like fruitless wanderers,
mall walkers slap their feet
in a rhythm
that goes nowhere.
Only round and round,
past mega-bucks sales;
pet store puppy mill reject dogs,
a merry-go-round for elderly exercisers.
Fitness for arthritic window shoppers.
Fashion pants do beckon,
'come forth and sally
ye nomads of the modern world.'...

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Sown is a season of glistening deceit, 
A biting canvas signed by Jack, 

Boreas rages over land and sea, 
Burning flesh with northern winds,

Stripped  arthritic sinews plead,
End this ice dome lock in, 

White blinded adventurers,
Navigate the ramblings of a cold dictator,

Winter slaves man and all,
Until the fire storm returns,...

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Rain showers in the summer heat
Elevating the oppressive humidity rankles
The biggest reason it does not excite me,
It aggravates my painful arthritic ankles.
Old age would certainly not be complete
Without these struggles to contend with
So, those longing for the retirement age,
Keep in mind, “golden years” is a myth!

Written June 21, 2021...

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Climbing the Stairway I miss my youth
each step a struggle with arthritic pain
As I grasp the handrail to steady myself
I remember that boy who out ran the wind
the young man who dance away the nights
The man who would walk ten miles
to see his heart's desire
More stubborn then the pain
I win the battle up
accepting my life
One step closer heavenwards...

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