Living the Aging Life

I’m really feeling quite Perverse.

My brain has gone from Bad to Worse.

The diagnosis is short and terse:

My brain has Corona Virus Curse.

I have an unfeigned appetite.

Somehow it does not feel quite right.

I’d like an appetite restrained,

one genteel and quite contained.

Instead, in this time of the Dreaded Virus,

I’ve contracted COVID Eating-Itis.

This Eating-Itis, pound for pound,

is a Very Bad Thing that’s going around.

I was pushing my cart through QFC—

Yes, Grumpy-Grocery Shopping Me—

when I espied on a very top shelf –

a delight!  I couldn’t believe myself!—

a treat I search for near and far –

a Whidbey Island Ice Cream Bar!

And here’s the PS to my tale:

My Ice Cream Bar was also on sale!

My fertile brain just skips around….

can’t hold a thought…can’t settle down.

My brain picks up another thought…

mulls it over…gets overwrought.

My brain won’t focus, though I tell it to “Hush!”

My brain’s got Corona Virus Mush.

Today I crossed the Boulevard.

Getting across is always hard.

I step right out and devoutly pray

that I’ll live to walk another day.

The ubiquitous Black Spot is in my roses!

I am troubled…Yea, Alarmed!…about the problem this poses.

I didn’t have the fungus any time in this long summer.

Now it’s popping up everywhere.  What a Bummer!

The season’s drawing to an end.  I don’t know what to do.

I guess I’ll clean out all the flower beds….

then wait till Winter’s through!

Two drivers stopped for me today

to help me cross the street.

I was totally astonished!

I nearly fainted on my feet!

I’ve lived here over forty years

and traffic rarely stops.

Cars usually just roll on by,

including Everett cops.

For one who’s 86 years old

it’s really rather hard

to navigate the hazards

and to cross the Boulevard.

So, I thank them for their kindness

and their simple courtesy.

Their quiet act of safety

really meant a  lot to me.

My hair is like a pirate’s on the Barbary Coast.

Of all the things that nag at me, my hair nags the most.

If I had a wig

I think that I would wear one.

It would hold me over till

I can get my hair done!

I wrote a snappy little Ode

to cheer up folks who’re sick.

It’s not of literary merit.

Its virtue is: It’s Quick.

So here’s to you, my Dearest Child,

I hope you’ll get well soon.

Indeed, I hope you’ll feel much better

This Very Afternoon.

I hope those throbbing aches and pains

will quickly go away.

I hope the queasy stomach woes will leave

This Very Day.

I hope your heart feels gay and bright,

that you restore your appetite,

that your spirits lift up,

that you feel just right, and

you are healed

This Very Night.