Getting Younger

 

I MUST BE GETTING YOUNGER

OR SENILE

OR BOTH

SHE

WHO NEVER WEARS WHITE

PAST LABOR DAY

AND WATCHES OVER MY COMING

AND GOING

MOSTLY GOING

STANDING AT THE DOOR

WAITING TO INSPECT THE TROOPS

WATCHING CAREFULLY

LEST SOMEONE SLIP BY

THOSE COLORS

ARE NOT COMPLIMENTARY

SHE’LL SAY

I DIDN’T KNOW

THEY WERE TALKING TO EACH OTHER

I’LL SAY

THEN WITH EYES LIFTED TO HEAVEN

SHE’LL EXPLAIN TO ME AGAIN

SOME ARCANE RULING

ABOUT STRIPES AND PLAID

WARM AND COLD COLORS

THEIR SEASONAL LIMITATIONS

OY VEY

I THOUGHT THE BIBLE WAS HARD

WHO MADE THESE RULES

WHERE ARE THEY WRITTEN DOWN

AND FINGER GESTURES

IF I HAVE KETCHUP ON MY MOUSTACHE

I CAN MAKE A LUNAR LANDING

WITH A NAPKIN

BY WATCHING A FINGER ON HER FACE

IF MY FLY IS DOWN

WHICH SEEMS TO BE HAPPENING MORE OFTEN

I CAN TELL BY THE

GIVE ME STRENGTH LOOK

AS SHE STANDS IN FRONT OF ME

SO I CAN MODESTLY ADJUST

I THINK

SHE AND MY GUARDIAN ANGEL

ARE IN COMPETITION

THOUGH IF TRUTH BE TOLD

I PROBABLY NEED BOTH

WHEN WE GO TO THE DOCTORS

I ALWAYS TELL THE NURSE

TO CHECK THE CLEAN UNDERWEAR BOX

I HEAR ECHOES OF MY MOTHER

IT’S A REFLECTION ON ME

I MUST BE GETTING YOUNGER

BECAUSE WHEN I GO TO BED

WATCHED OVER BY GOD AND HER

I SLEEP LIKE A BABY

FRANK A VOLLMER