“I am at that age now”

November 2026 Poetry Month, Day 9

A field of fabulous flowers

“I am at that age now”

I am at that now when I can eat
as many eggs as I want to in any configuration;
or eat pork chops anytime I want;
or eat red licorice every minute of the day;
or eat ice cream morning, noon, and night;
or race my car down the road as fast as I can;
or read until the wee hours of the morning;
or stay in bed and never get up;
or buy whatever I want at the grocery store;
or wear whatever style of clothing;
or act out in public, deigning surprise
that I really am sane at that moment;
or do so many other things
that I used to feel that I wanted
or needed to do.

But I don’t do any of those things.

I know better. I learned the hard way
that simplicity and a modicum of self-restraint
and respect are much better than hurling
yourself pell-mell into the fray of life
without thought of any consequences.

The anecdote to all this hinges
on living life in a sensible and pragmatic way
so that trouble follows you at a distance
and never catches you unless you allow it.

I happen to not allow it most of the time—

All that has something to do
with gaining a bit of wisdom and knowledge
along the way while swimming
in the froth of life with my head
just above water and trying to dodge
the floating debris of life.

At least I hope so.