When he grew old
everything got harder
a grunt when bending over
to pick something up
putting on pants
the balance not there
getting up from an armless chair
barely enough leg strength
the floor like an enemy
keeps him pinned there
as he struggles to get up
grabbing onto a chair
unexpected hospital stays
and doctor appointments
doctors he never saw in his youth
almost constant companions now
some medical conditions
he never thought he’d have
more body fat and muscle loss
increasingly weaker
aging turning him into a caricature
of his once youthful, robust self
but at least he’s ready to die
and he no longer fears death
and he feels lucky
to have lived such a long life
Bob Boyd