Age

Age

I'm old enough

to have failed more times

than I succeeded

yet

I believe I'm a success

It's the little lie I tell myself

to keep me going

I made it to old age

despite narrow escapes

in car accidents

a few infections and surgeries

thoughts of suicide

the triple icebergs

of stupidity ego and asininity

using the same washed pots

dishes glasses stainless ware

everyday

The occasional runny egg

drips into my beard

or onto my shirt

A needed vacuum

of every room

is delayed just as

a change of sheets

I made it to my mess

in which I think I live

with no one but gODD

to keep me company

He she or they listen

I made it to the age

where I have a separate

briefcase for my medicine

and a small box

filled with supplies

for testing my

well you know

that stuff that runs

through my heart

I learned

that mentioning it

is a turn-off for readers

Some people wonder

if I have a heart

I'm old enough

to have a crowd behind me

that wonders that very thing

but they don't come to visit

or phone me to yell

or write letters with threats

I'm old enough to wish

I had one person

a loving person really

to look cross at me

over breakfast

because I didn't kiss

them first thing

or help with laundry

It's all just me and my years

full of memory and regret

There are no comforts

I'm old enough to have

odd habits and old clothing

knees bad enough to walk

inside a cage

that little portable prison

with bars between me

and anybody who could

love me enough

to sleep next to

a gray old man

with a beard full

of crumbs and egg

Living in a mobile home

ain't like living in sin

I've made it

I'm a success

in my loneliness

just happy to see

a spider has woven

a new web

Barry G. Wick