The Sign of Youth Ending                                            10/2/2000

 

 

The first signs,

      the beginning of the end of youth.

                 the end of youth?

 

Finding that position,

trying to get the knee not to throb.

Seated, on the couch,

“tight” across the right knee

            want to straighten it out,

                 lift up the legs.

Swing the legs up onto the couch

      legs out straight,

            now just a dull throb.

Prop the knee on a pillow,

      knee above chest,

bent 70 degrees.

Not bad,

            rest of body sliding down.

Good position for,

      next hour,

            next two days;

      function of today’s use,

            last few weeks.

 

I do and don’t want to be Grandfather.

      Strong against the pain.

      Not admitting to pain,

requesting no accommodations.

Grandpa’s spine collapsing,

      too much cortisone.

Having him try to commit suicide,

      while I was sitting,

            Grandma on a “Reno Trip.”

 

 

 

 

      Copyright Ó 2000 John Savage