Arthritic Ego

Arthritic Ego


Is there anything more to say
old age is the demise of both
lad and ego neatly contained
in the very words and dispelled
with finality to the quick
to the joints that once bent
like reeds in the wind
undamaged by the onslaught
of storm and season's change
now inflamed as if in anger
thundering with pain at 
the very idea of age creeping
creepily under the skin
to the bone 
as I become stiff as the
Buddha on the porch
impervious 
my knuckles touching as if
in holy meditation knowing
nonetheless I shall be no more
alive than the seven icons
adorning my home
denying what I could never quite
the ego the lad in me the flash
of lightning I thought was my soul

Jameson 8-12-13