Worn paint flakes off her aged walls. Countless stories that soaked themselves into the sheetrock now float untethered with the dust. Her spirit stands proud, but her frame lumps under gravity. Heavy. Slowly dying in the unrelenting winds of change. 

I'd been sent by my editor to interview a local poet on the occasion of his ninetieth birthday. The poet was a well-known face around town, but was now in a retirement home. "Be sensitive," my editor had said, "if he’s not all there." It turned out that the poet was as sharp as glass. Of course, he was physically frail and sat awkwardly in a wheelchair, but the biggest trouble with him was that he did not want to reminisc...

They signed up for dancing class at an arts center. Once a week. They volunteered for the tech crews at a theater. When time allowed.  They wrote poetry to read at open mic nights. Every so often. They hiked the pathways of the earth. In life's time. They thought upon that life and it was good. What they had created was pleasing and meaningful. It was good.  They loved as they should. They had forgotten how young they wer...

  “Ever seen anything like it?” “No. It’s not like mine.” “So you don’t know how to switch it on?” “Not a clue.” “Oh.” George peered at the object in his palm. “No manual,” he shrugged, “just some bits I don’t need.” “They don’t make manuals anymore.” George’s eyes widened. “You’re supposed to press stuff ’til it works. Don’t worry,” Meg patted his arm, “the grandkids will know what to do.” “Oh yes…” George smiled. ”Think...

As a young man, oh yes I remember. I was so full of vigor. I was fit tall and slender. Life before me seemed so much bigger.   As an old man, I sometimes live inside my past. I look back on that I dreamed. Time has slipped by far to fast. Life is more predetermined than it seemed.  

Before there was we there was youAnd when you were young all was new.Do you think about that. I still do.Before there was we there was you.***Before there was we there was meAnd when I was young I was free.But I dreamed about you on my knee.Before there was we there was me.***Before I brought tears to your eyesThey had visions of stars in the skiesAnd they traveled in books and grew wiseBefore I brought tears to your eyes...

The old man sat on the steps With his head in his hands So much in thought as he sat His eyes in a far away time When the old woman Came to her man His eyes lit up like the sun He held out his hand and she took it He kissed her palm  And put her hand next to his heart No words needed to be spoken The love in her eyes reflected his For many of years these two have loved Have went down the road together They raised their ch...

Like marks wiped from a chalkboard, particles spiraling apart, braiding back together unnaturally, I once had command over them, autonomy unquestioned for years. You were possessions, all with a set purpose. Some to make me realize the sudden flash of pain when skin breaks, or how my mother's necklace gleamed, shimmered like the sands we strolled along that day. Some were far more cold, secret skins worn at night when the...

She sits and waits She does not know for what She dreams of yesterday Of love and laughter And a life full of smiles You can see it in her eyes The mist of tears shinning true When you call out to her And she looks up at you She is well past her prime An old lady most would say Just waiting to die When the door opens Her grandkids have come by She is full of life once more With smiles and hugs and kisses Till each one lea...

Two friends were smoking, enjoying the hour: An old dog wheezed, even creaked, at their feet “Soon so soon, the dog-god she’ll go to meet, Pain she’s in makes her shake and cower, When she goes I’ll plant her in the bower.” "Like the cookies? They’re made from real good sheet The strained off leaves are in a pile out back." Ol’ dog staggered out, no great show of power She ate the cast off and laid still as death Stoners...

"You got what for my mother?""A vibrator.""Why?""She was complaining about her sore feet.""So you bought her a vibrator?""I was trying to help!"The wife chased her husband out of the house. He ran until he lost her, then made his way back home, once he was sure she had stopped chasing. Looking at the present, the woman realised her mistake."Aw, bless him," she smiled, her eyes welling up.She found him wandering and confus...

Sometimes I wonder what age people think I am. I mean, I know I don’t act like I’m 29, but I am, sadly. I’m 29 and still get asked for ID. Even for fag papers. Okay, so I don’t buy them any more because I’ve given up smoking, but over the past year, I have for friends who still smoke. It’s kinda sad, but I was always know as the one who had the perpetual fag in his gob. I love how British that sentence is. Anyway, what ag...

Earl Powell pushed a shopping cart filled with two huge bags of dog food up to the counter. He also had three pouches of bacon-flavored treats, several packages of flea treatments, and boxes and boxes of little blue bags. There was very little in the cart for his own use; just a can of beans, a loaf of bread, and a jar of peanut butter. His needs were pretty simple, but he had a lot of canine mouths to feed, and that was...

An old alpha peers at a winter moon.For lady wolf, his heart does swoon. Longing for days when they pranced.Stalking like shadows they advanced. Their kits safely snuggled in the den. A time nearly lost, way back when. Now having to prowl the forest alone. No longer this alpha sits on his throne. Not having a mate or pack to call his own.Frail and weak, just hair, skin and bone. Reliving days when he was a young pup.Memor...

The thought that plays inside my mind tonightIs have I aged and reached my use by date?Will meeting young and lovely folks delight,Or have I left the search until too late? We meet, and kindred spirits may become,But am I much too old to share such fun?These youths are always free to beat a drum,And spread their joy beneath the shining sun. My years of learning taught me how to live.My years of living left me love to spar...