8/26/2003

She said
not upon
her deathbed
but before
according to
her obituary
if you awake
after sixty-five
at the outside
without some
aches and pains
to work out
on rising
it is because
you are dead
and
don’t know it
a story
I related
over breakfast
to a woman
only somewhat
hard of hearing
who said
she is eighty-eight
still unable
to accept
being old
laughing though
because
she heard me.
There is strength
still
in your laughter
I said
and she answered
it is worse
to complain
that one is old
unless
it gets you
out of doing
the dishes
I added
making her
laugh again
and promise
she would
remember that.
I thought
later
what might matter
most
is at least
engaging each season
regardless of our discontent
and
if resolution
should result
perhaps
it is the same
as it was
when young
a mix of wonder
and satisfaction
as much
a thing of grace
as any labor
we have performed.