Pain everywhere. Joints, back etc. I need a scooter to go long distances. I see death around the corner. I try to make it my friend. But, grabbing all the life I can out of every day left seems the right thing to do. We all have things happen in our lives that are sad. Some of us lose spouses. Some of us alienate others out of a fear of seeming weak. No one of us is a perfect human. However, we control how we live our lives. When you reach the end, don't end up alone in a chair. Don't be this guy.
He slowly pattered to the chair,
slippers worn and in their place,
pipe and ashtray next to the lighter
his wife had given him on Memorial Day.
His body bent forward
and his gaze fell on the carpet,
threadbare from walking and pacing
during illness and crisis.
He was alone now,
Slowly dying
and living slowly.
He watched the flickering television
looking for meaning,
and not looking at all.
Did he remember the President
and the year?
Or did he remember a kiss in 1947...
or was it ‘48?
He felt a tightening in his chest
and knew his end was coming.
He closed his eyes
and remembered the past,
thought about the future,
and prayed to whatever God
was up there.
When he died,
They removed the body,
boxed his belongings,
threw them in the trash,
emptied his bank accounts,
and went on living.
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