Age Stories
I'd been sent by my editor to interview a local poet on the occasion of his ninetieth birthday. The poet was a well-known face around town, but was now in a retirement home. "Be sensitive," my editor had said, "if he’s not all there." It turned out that t...
Youth Should Never Fade
Even though you may grow old still may you stay forever youngThey signed up for dancing class at an arts center. Once a week. They volunteered for the tech crews at a theater. When time allowed. They wrote poetry to read at open mic nights. Every so often. They hiked the pathways of the earth. In life's time. They...
Old Dog, New Tricks
It's not easy, you know“Ever seen anything like it?” “No. It’s not like mine.” “So you don’t know how to switch it on?” “Not a clue.” “Oh.” George peered at the object in his palm. “No manual,” he shrugged, “just some bits I don’t need.” “They don’t make manuals anymore.” Geo...
Young Dog Old Dog
Just an old dog.As a young man, oh yes I remember. I was so full of vigor. I was fit tall and slender. Life before me seemed so much bigger. As an old man, I sometimes live inside my past. I look back on that I dreamed. Time has slipped by far to fast. Life is more pre...
Before There Was We
There was youBefore there was we there was youAnd when you were young all was new.Do you think about that. I still do.Before there was we there was you.***Before there was we there was meAnd when I was young I was free.But I dreamed about you on my knee.Before there w...
Like marks wiped from a chalkboard, particles spiraling apart, braiding back together unnaturally, I once had command over them, autonomy unquestioned for years. You were possessions, all with a set purpose. Some to make me realize the sudden flash of pai...
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She sits and waits She does not know for what She dreams of yesterday Of love and laughter And a life full of smiles You can see it in her eyes The mist of tears shinning true When you call out to her And she looks up at you She is well past her prime An...
Two Stoners and a Dying Dog
an attempt to turn a story I heard into a sonnetTwo friends were smoking, enjoying the hour: An old dog wheezed, even creaked, at their feet “Soon so soon, the dog-god she’ll go to meet, Pain she’s in makes her shake and cower, When she goes I’ll plant her in the bower.” "Like the cookies? They’re made...
The Fragility of Age
Spare a thought for the mentally infirm this holiday."You got what for my mother?""A vibrator.""Why?""She was complaining about her sore feet.""So you bought her a vibrator?""I was trying to help!"The wife chased her husband out of the house. He ran until he lost her, then made his way back home, once he wa...
A Rambling, Roaming, Musing thing
1) Open an AbiWord document and start typing. 2) Submit the results 3) ???? 4) Profit.Sometimes I wonder what age people think I am. I mean, I know I don’t act like I’m 29, but I am, sadly. I’m 29 and still get asked for ID. Even for fag papers. Okay, so I don’t buy them any more because I’ve given up smoking, but over the past year, I hav...
Earl Powell pushed a shopping cart filled with two huge bags of dog food up to the counter. He also had three pouches of bacon-flavored treats, several packages of flea treatments, and boxes and boxes of little blue bags. There was very little in the cart...
An old alpha peers at a winter moon.For lady wolf, his heart does swoon. Longing for days when they pranced.Stalking like shadows they advanced. Their kits safely snuggled in the den. A time nearly lost, way back when. Now having to prowl the forest alone...
The thought that plays inside my mind tonightIs have I aged and reached my use by date?Will meeting young and lovely folks delight,Or have I left the search until too late? We meet, and kindred spirits may become,But am I much too old to share such fun?Th...