
“My seventies were interesting and fairly serene, but my eighties are passionate.”
—Florida Scott Maxwell
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Yes, but not like some geriatric stud
who’s still able each night to rock and roll;
Instead, imagine some gnarled tree in bud,
A blazing fire reduced to one red coal.
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Three barred owls in a tree, a rainbow,
My sleeping wife, a grandchild’s happy voice,
A doo-op tune, dark chocolate, will now
Bring forth ejaculations of clear joy.
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But then I have these night sweats full of fear.
Each day brings new regret for my old wrongs.
I rage for reasons that remain unclear
and weep at maudlin films and country songs.
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The plot gets more intense the more I age
As life’s last chapter moves towards life’s last page.
´◊
